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# Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://reneeswope.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [A Christmas Prayer](https://reneeswope.com/a-christmas-prayer/) - Merry Christmas Eve friend! I don't know how your plans are going but I wanted to encourage you with something I wrote for Proverbs 31 Ministries today and share a Christmas prayer I post each year, in hopes that it will calm and connect your heart with Jesus, the way it does for me each
- [For the Mom Who Feels Like Quitting Sometimes](https://reneeswope.com/for-the-mom-who-feels-like-quitting/) - When my boys turned into toddlers who wouldn’t listen, I turned into someone I didn't like. Other moms seemed like they knew what they were doing. Shouldn't I know how to get my kids to behave? I was young and my expectations were high. Secretly, I wondered, What is wrong with me?
- [More of “Me”](https://reneeswope.com/more-of-me/) - I’m still trying to find that perfect gift for those I love - the one I said I wanted to give, the one I know they want more than anything – more of me!! Where can I find more of “me” to give – especially during this busy time of the year? Giving more of
- [Planning for an (in)Perfect Christmas](https://reneeswope.com/planning-for-an-inperfect-christmas/) - The other day I caught myself whispering an unrealistic secret to my heart: "Maybe this will be the year everything goes as planned and we'll have the perfect Christmas." Perfect is what I've always wanted for Christmas, but in all my years of living I've never been able to pull it off. For me, perfect looks like peace on earth and in
- [A Perfectly Imperfect Christmas](https://reneeswope.com/cancelling-plans-for-the-perfect-christmas/) - “Maybe this will be the year everything goes as planned, and we’ll have the perfect Christmas.” I thought. Perfect is what I’d always wanted for Christmas, but in all my years of living I have never been able to pull it off. Perfect looks like peace on earth and in my home for twenty-four hours.
- [How to Become A Confident Mom: Turning Self-Defeat Into Self-Awareness](https://reneeswope.com/how-to-become-a-confident-mom-turning-self-defeat-into-self-awareness/) - I remember the day I hit rock bottom as a mom. Tired of struggling with comparison, self-defeat, and my cruel inner critic, I desperately wanted and needed things to change. But I didn’t know what changes were needed until I got brave enough to ask Jesus to show me. I started asking Him to help
- [The Personality Potato Bar](https://reneeswope.com/the-personality-potato-bar/) - Let’s create a home where our children can grow in the soil of acceptance and approval. A home where our kids know they're loved for who they are and liked for how they are. A home where, whether young or old, our children don’t feel pressured to be the product of their our desires or efforts. A home where everyone’s needs and preferences are honored, and where each person...
- [Stay: an invitation & giveaway](https://reneeswope.com/stay/) - "Imagine for a moment you are alone . . . no books, no Netflix, no one is home with you. The house is quiet, and so are you. The longer you sit, the more you feel. The silence is uncomfortable. An argument with your sister rises to the surface, the sarcastic comment your husband/boyfriend/friend made days ago
- [What % Introvert Are You?](https://reneeswope.com/the-missing-password-a-big-aha-moment/) - "True or false: you use about 10 percent of your brain."​ "Despite the prevalence of this belief, it’s false. We don’t use 100 percent of our brain at one time, but we do use all of it, which takes a lot of energy.​ Dr. Marcus Raichle, a professor of medicine, says in a Time magazine article, “As
- [When You Don't Know What to Say or Pray](https://reneeswope.com/when-you-dont-know-what-to-say-or-pray/) - I used to be hesitant to pray and kind of stumbled over my words when talking to God. Yet, I desperately wanted to say the right things because I thought if I prayed the right way God would listen and answer my prayers, the way I wanted Him to. It took me a while, but eventually I
- [When God Gets Up Close and Personal](https://reneeswope.com/when-god-gets-up-close-and-personal/) - "We've got an up close and personal Savior who sees, knows, and loves us too much to just let things go until they fall apart." @ReneeSwope
- [You Don't Have To Do It All](https://reneeswope.com/you-dont-have-to-do-it-all/) - I closed my eyes and pressed two fingers gently on my right eyelid, hoping that would stop the twitching. . It was early December and my brain would not stop listing all the things I needed to do, gifts I needed to buy, plans and decisions I needed make! Then there was laundry to wash,
- [How Am I Going to Do This?](https://reneeswope.com/how-in-the-world-am-i-going-to-do-this/) - " No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or abandon you. Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance." Joshua 1:5-6, CSB Has God ever
- [Why Do I Feel So Empty?](https://reneeswope.com/why-do-i-feel-so-empty/) - It was a source she’d come to depend on. A place she went to get her needs met, but it was never enough. Every day she came back for more. Filling her jar with water, the woman looked up and heard a man asking her for a drink. Then he offered her something in return:
- [Something Needed To Change](https://reneeswope.com/changing-your-mind/) - “What’s wrong with me?” I asked myself in a frustrated and condemning tone. I had forgotten an appointment and missed an important call that morning, so that same question had popped into my head more than once. But it wasn’t just a question, it was an assumption, a label of defect I slapped on myself
- [God Stood By My Side And Gave Me Strength](https://reneeswope.com/god-stood-by-my-side-and-gave-me-strength/) - I sat in shock, listening to a friend describe how she had been upset with me for months. We served together on a large ministry leadership team at our church for years. Both of us had volunteered countless hours pouring our hearts and our lives into the women of our church. All the while, I assumed
- [Is It Worth the Work? (+ free scripture printable)](https://reneeswope.com/is-it-worth-the-work-free-scripture-printable/) - I thought I was over the hurt, but as I slipped my thumb under the seal of the invitation to my 10-year college reunion I realized I had not forgiven her. During our last semester at school, harsh tones and accusing anger from a friend had been more than I could handle, especially in the middle
- [What's Wrong With Me?](https://reneeswope.com/whats-wrong-with-me-2/) - How often do you think, “What’s wrong with me?” It’s a question I’ve asked myself way too many times. When I forget something important, when I’m late for a meeting, lose my keys, miss deadlines or walk into a room in my house and can't remember why I went there. But one day, I realized
- [While You Are Sleeping](https://reneeswope.com/while-you-are-sleeping/) - Startled by the silence, I sat up in bed so I could see the neon red lights that told me it was three in the morning, time to feed the baby. But Andrew hadn’t made a sound. Was something wrong? Or was he sleeping through the night? Wavering between panic and joy, I felt
- [Somewhere Between Disappointment and Trust](https://reneeswope.com/somewhere-between-disappointment-and-trust/) - I watched his shoulders as he walked up the mountain through the fog, hoping his posture would tell me how he was feeling. Raindrops trickled down his suit coat, and I thought to myself, I will never forget watching my son climb this muddy mountain to wait for his bride. Josh and Brandi had
- [What if this is God? { guest post & GIVE*AWAY }](https://reneeswope.com/what-if-this-is-god-guest-post-giveaway/) - A door opened in my work that, while wonderful and exciting, would be way over my head to accomplish. Without even a single prayer, I headed to my office to write the email. Fearful to how hard the task would be, I didn’t have the kind of confidence it would take to say yes. Then
- [When Concern Consumes Me](https://reneeswope.com/when-concern-consumes-me/) - As we drove home from a weekend away in the mountains, I felt a heavy sense of dread and sadness. Laying my head back on my seat, I told my husband, JJ, “I don’t want to go home.” The stress and strain of countless commitments at home and at work were taking a toll
- [He Bends Down](https://reneeswope.com/he-bends-down/) - It had been a hard day, running too many errands with two small children. My three-year-old didn’t understand why we couldn’t buy every toy his tiny hands could touch. And he insisted on climbing in and out of the grocery cart, which led to whining when I stopped him. I was not a happy mama
- [Being Present Always Trumps Being Perfect](https://reneeswope.com/being-present-always-trumps-being-perfect/) - I had it all planned: when they would all arrive what I needed to do beforehand how I wanted my heart to feel when they got here Not wanting to become “the frazzled friend” I turn into when hosting a get-together, I banned myself from Pinterest and my own desire for perfect. I wrote out a timeline and recruited help from a friend. Together
- [Never Unfriended: When Imperfection Becomes a Gift](https://reneeswope.com/never-unfriended-the-secret-to-finding-and-keeping-lasting-friendships/) - I had it all planned. When the guests would arrive, how I wanted my heart to feel when they got here, and what I needed to do beforehand. Determined not to become the "frazzled friend" that comes out in me when I host a gathering at my house, I banned myself from Pinterest and my desire for perfect. I wrote out a timeline
- [When You Don't Want to Be a Burden { + a prayer journal giveaway}](https://reneeswope.com/when-you-need-prayer-but-hesitate-to-ask/) - Recently, I heard the replay of my conversation with Kathi Lipp on her podcast where we talked about asking for prayer and I wanted to invite you to join us! Welcome if you're visiting from Kathi's page. I'm so glad you're here! I would love to pray for you today, and have us all pray for each other. I'm also
- [More Than A Mom](https://reneeswope.com/more-than-a-mom/) - I love these people. They were so patient and sweet to take this photo with me for the "More Than A Mom" instagram series hosted by Fashion & Compassion. Once we finished outside, I knew I needed to write my post for my instagram page, so I asked Andrew, my 19-year-old baby boy on the left, what makes
- [Chapter 9 {Word & Verse} for the week](https://reneeswope.com/chapter-9/) - Beloved: greatly loved; dear to the heart. There is a reason God calls us His be-loved. Because we don't have to "do" anything to be loved -- by Him. When we live loved... We can be still…. stop striving and remember that He is God. We can choose to find resting place for our restless hearts
- [This is Love](https://reneeswope.com/this-is-love-2/) - It's been a decade since Andrew told me, but I'll never forget the words that spilled out of my little boy's heart effortlessly. Words that changed the way I pressured myself into believing I had to be the perfect mom. Driving through carpool line, Andrew held his bag of Valentine treats and asked when they’d be passing them out in class.
- [How to Be Kind to Your Future Self {+ Book Give-away}](https://reneeswope.com/how-to-be-kind-to-your-future-self/) - "What would you call someone who … • …demands that you be someone you’re not? • …ignores your needs? • …refuses to let you use your God-given gifts and talents well? • …sets you up for failure, even disaster, over and over again? • …does all of the above over and over and over? Sounds
- [Forever Wanted {+ a book giveaway!}](https://reneeswope.com/forever-wanted-another-book-giveaway/) - We all struggle with identity—who we are, why we are, and what we have to offer the world. And just about the time we find a sliver of worth or significance, something happens to make us fully aware of how much we lack. A harsh word. A broken relationship. A failed attempt. Then, in spite of our
- [{week 1} A Confident Heart Online Study (April 2013)](https://reneeswope.com/week-1-a-confident-heart-online-study-april-2013/) - Hi friends! I am so excited to start this "Confident Heart" journey with you! We have almost 8000 women from around the US and the world signed up! I've been closing my eyes and picturing us gathering together in small groups (cause I'm a small group kinda girl). Anyhow, it's so amazing to be here
- [The Things We Do For Love](https://reneeswope.com/the-things-we-do-for-love/) - I had almost everything I wanted, yet I felt empty and confused. I couldn’t figure out why all the relationships and accomplishments I had worked so hard to gain weren’t enough to fill me or fulfill me. Tears streamed down my face as I thought about the guy I dated through high school and college.
- [3 Secrets to Lasting Friendships](https://reneeswope.com/3-secrets-to-lasting-friendships/) - I sat across the table listening to their laughter and admiring the bond between two older women I’d just met at a luncheon. Their friendship was uncommon and my heart craved the kind of connection they had. The way they loved each other, how well they knew each other and how much they enjoyed being together
- [For the Weary Woman Who Is Tired of Losing it](https://reneeswope.com/for-the-weary-one-who-is-tired-of-losing-it/) - One morning I was working from home, alone. The house was quiet, and I was feeling all kinds of productive. That week marked the final stretch of a big project, and I had planned a fun family dinner and game night. Life was peachy. And I felt like such a good mom. Then my kids came home from Grandma’s house, earlier
- [When You Feel Discouraged {a promise & a prayer}](https://reneeswope.com/when-you-feel-discouraged/) - The phone rang and I answered right away, seeing that it was an out of town friend I hadn't talk to in a while. But much to my surprise, the fun catch-up-with-each-other conversation I hoped for turned into a tense discussion about how I had let her down. I didn't see it coming and I felt horrible. There
- [The Powerful Gift of Being Weak { + book giveaways }](https://reneeswope.com/the-powerful-gift-of-being-weak-book-giveaways/) - “Should I be honest?” I wondered. “What if I start crying? What if she doesn’t really have time to listen? What if she is just asking to be nice? I could keep it simple and tell her I’m fine.” There I was, standing in the lobby at church waiting for my husband, when an old
- [Confident Heart Devotional ONLINE mini-study starts today!](https://reneeswope.com/confident-heart-devotional-online-mini-study-starts-today/) - I'm kicking off my new FREE Confident Heart Devotional ONLINE mini-study today on FACEBOOK LIVE at 3pm ET. You can join me here = > www.facebook.com/renee.swope Hope you can join us! Renee PS. My private online study page on my website isn't working for some reason, but I'll get it fixed today and send
- [Join me for a {FREE} Online Study in January](https://reneeswope.com/a-new-year-with-new-hopes-and-new-doubts/) - A new year bring with it new hope. Hope for a fresh start. New dreams. A reset. Time to reflect. New plans to write across a fresh new calendar. But for many of us, there's this thing called doubt that makes us hesitant to hope and dream. We've been here before and remember how hope can fade into feelings
- [Let's Do This {TOGETHER}!](https://reneeswope.com/lets-do-this-together/) - {Some affiliate links on this page. Read our disclosure here.} Confident, strong, and free. For most of my life I had a secret longing to be confident in who God made me and free from self-doubt, fear, and insecurity, but I didn't think it was possible. I was convinced my struggles were part of my DNA, and that
- [Don't Shrink Back: a {FREE} Confident Heart Devotional Online Study + .99 eBook Sale](https://reneeswope.com/free-confident-heart-devotional-online-study-99-ebook-sale/) - We do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. Hebrews 10:39 “Things will never change.” “My life isn’t going to get better.” “I’ll never have the confidence I need.” Those are some pretty depressing thoughts, aren't they? But oh how easily they sneak into
- [Are the Stress and Struggles of the Holidays Weighing You Down?](https://reneeswope.com/are-the-stress-and-struggles-of-the-holidays-weighing-you-down/) - Hey friend! Today I was on the Cultivate webinar with my friend Lara, and we talked about the stress and strain of the holidays, all that comes with Christmas, travel and family in town. She asked me about how it can trigger our self-doubts and the weight of it all. I thought about you and wondered if maybe
- [](https://reneeswope.com/10575/) - If you have a little bit of shopping left to do {for someone else or YOURSELF} DaySpring is offering $20 OFF any $60 purchase and FREE SHIPPING!! Use SHINEHISLIGHT code at checkout! I love how DaySpring points our hearts to Christ through beautiful gifts, home decor, wall art, Christmas cards, coffee mugs, jewelry and more!
- [So I was thinking...](https://reneeswope.com/so-i-was-thinking/) - EVER FEEL LIKE YOU'LL NEVER MEASURE UP? Does your heart sometimes feel torn between longing for a life filled with hope, healthy relationships, meaning and more, while barely doing the best you can with the unpredictable, ordinary and sometimes overwhelming reality of every day? If so, I was thinking how much I would love to
- [A Cup of Christmas COCOA {cute, fun, affordable gift idea & FREE printable gift tags}](https://reneeswope.com/a-cup-of-christmas-cocoa-cute-fun-affordable-gift-idea-free-printable-gift-tags/) - I love finding creative, affordable and fun Christmas gift ideas, especially those that keep Christ at the center of Christmas. Several years ago, my friend Tracie shared the cutest idea using the word COCOA written on a gift tag and tied to a Christmas mug. It went something like this: C is for CHRIST, the reason for Christmas! O
- [3 Steps to Get God’s Peace {Printable & GiveAway}](https://reneeswope.com/3-steps-to-getting-gods-peace/) - When life gets overwhelming, do you ever feel like you might suffocate under everything you need to do? Does worry ever weave it's way into your heart and consume your thoughts with concern? If I'm not careful, worry can wear me out and make me want to quit... just about everything! A few years ago, I took my husband's advice to write down everything on
- [When Fear Paralyzes Your Faith](https://reneeswope.com/when-fear-paralyzes-your-faith/) - I crawled into bed and slipped under a blanket of fear. My husband was out of town for work, and I was afraid to go to sleep. Fear had become a constant companion during his nights away. Knowing I needed to trust God, I went through the motions of what good Christians do: I prayed,
- [When Concerns Consume You {a promise & a prayer}](https://reneeswope.com/a-promise-and-a-prayer/) - Do you ever have days when your mind is crowded with thoughts that are competing for your attention? Yesterday was one of those days for me. I woke up with countless tasks on my to-do list and every one felt urgent, which made it almost impossible to figure out what was most important. It felt like countless concerns were cutting
- [Shine Your Light {+ my favorite things for 35% off} Monday ONLY!](https://reneeswope.com/shine-your-light-my-favorite-things-are-35-off-monday-only/) - My favorite place to shop online {DaySpring} is offering 35% off on Cyber Monday. And because girlfriends always tell each other about the best deals, here's to Monday night shopping and sharing a few of my favorite things! *** Use MONDAY16 (at checkout) to get 35% off the following items through midnight tonight, Nov 28th! $23.40 (with 35% off
- [My favorite place to shop + 30% off EVERYTHING at DaySpring!](https://reneeswope.com/my-favorite-place-to-shop-30-off-everything-at-dayspring/) - I love how DaySpring points our hearts to Christ through beautiful gifts, home decor, wall art, Christmas cards, coffee mugs, jewelry and more! Enter FRIDAY16 discount code at checkout to get 30% off! Take advantage of this amazing discount before it ends tomorrow!
- [Shepherd On The Search: Finding Christ in Christmas {+ a giveaway}](https://reneeswope.com/shepherd-on-the-search/) - Affiliate links in this post. You can read my disclosure here. What is your favorite part of the Christmas story? One of mine is when God sent angels to shepherds in a field, to tell them Jesus had been born. And when the shepherds heard the amazing news, they set off on an journey to search for baby Jesus. I want
- [30% off EVERYTHING @DaySpring {including Shepherd on the Search}!](https://reneeswope.com/dayspring-sale-30-off-everything-including-shepherd-on-the-search/) - This post includes affiliate links. Read our disclosure here. Hey friends! I just found out DaySpring is offering an early black Friday 30% off coupon through Sunday, Nov 27th! Click here to access the sale and be sure to use coupon code: FRIDAY16 at checkout to get 30% OFF!! Here are a few of my favorite things from
- [When Thanks Is Hard to Give](https://reneeswope.com/when-thanks-is-hard-to-give/) - I dropped my body into my favorite chair and stretched out my legs, hoping the soft embrace of my chaise lounge would comfort more than my tired bones. After two months, and more than 10 assessments with our 8-year-old little girl who has special needs, my husband and I met with her school's IEP team and developmental specialists to discuss
- [My Pattern of Thought](https://reneeswope.com/my-pattern-of-thought/) - It’s usually very subtle. Sometimes I’ll think about something I want to do or sense God calling me to, and I’ll just get that awful, insecure feeling. Out of the blue, uncertainty will wash over me as doubt whispers to my heart, You can’t do that. You’re not good enough. Too many times I’ve gone along with
- [When You Feel Like You're Not Enough](https://reneeswope.com/when-you-feel-like-youre-not-enough-2/) - Have you ever had that awful, sinking feeling of not being enough . . . not smart enough or good enough? For weeks I had felt inadequate and incompetent about everything — from the way I parented to the way I served God in ministry to the way I organized my time and my life. It
- [Never Alone](https://reneeswope.com/never-alone/) - Alone again. That’s what she must have thought as she walked to the well all by herself that day. But she wasn’t alone for long. Jesus was there. Yet, she didn’t know who He was and she couldn’t help but wonder why He was talking to her, a Samaritan woman. When He spoke, she heard
- [Lord, Help Me Not Forget](https://reneeswope.com/lord-help-me-not-forget/) - "God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them." {Hebrews 6:10, NIV} "He will not forget your work...." Six words my weary heart needed. After a week of crushing demands and behind-the-scenes sacrifices, I needed Jesus to tell me
- [But I Don't Like Being Told I Can't](https://reneeswope.com/but-i-dont-like-being-told-i-cant/) - I’m not a natural rule follower or a limit-liker. I love last-minute plans and just-because adventures. If you let me stay up as late as I want, and sleep in as long as I can, I will be in heaven. God gave me a soul that craves freedom and a creative heart that thrives on spontaneity. Budgets
- [God's Not Worried {Friday GiveAway}](https://reneeswope.com/gods-not-worried/) - Just in time for Mother's Day weekend, I've invited my friend Karen Ehman to share a devotional with us from her new book, Pressing Pause: 100 Quiet Moments for Moms to Meet with Jesus. We're also giving away TWO COPIES of the book and one beautiful bracelet. Keeping reading to find out more. As a little girl
- [Just one last Post](https://reneeswope.com/just-one-last-post/) - How about some Cupacake Ipsum?! Check it out at cupcakeipsum.com and create your own delicious Ipsum. Dessert candy tootsie roll jelly-o bear claw chocolate bar apple pie. Chocolate cake tootsie roll lollipop caramels fruitcake powder marzipan. I love cake chocolate cake danish cheesecake chocolate ice cream jujubes caramels. Jelly oat cake jujubes gummies macaroon. Tiramisu
- [When You Feel Like You Can't Measure Up](https://reneeswope.com/how-can-i-ever-measure-up/) - Welcome friends! I have some awesome giveaways for you, and a beautiful FREE printable bookmark packed with God's truths about you! Keep reading to find out more... Do you ever compare yourself to other women and feel like you don’t measure up? Maybe you feel think you’re not as smart, pretty, fun, organized or as good at _______ as
- [When You Don't Want To Be A Burden](https://reneeswope.com/when-you-dont-want-to-be-a-burden/) - It was supposed to be a prayer request, but my email started out more like an apology. I needed friends to pray, yet I was hesitant to ask. I didn’t want my burdens to burden them. They already had so many problems of their own: illnesses, a job loss, death of a loved one, relationship strains, overwhelming stress, and
- [Lord, I Want to Know You {printable + giveaway}](https://reneeswope.com/lord-i-want-to-know-you-post-giveaway/) - I used to be afraid to trust God. And it bothered me. I wanted to slip my hand in His and let Him lead. I wanted to put my concerns in His capable arms and believe He could take better care of them than I could. I wanted to have more faith. But I didn’t. And one day I realized
- [Lord, I Need Your Help](https://reneeswope.com/lord-i-need-your-help-2/) - One evening after an intense “discussion,” my husband, J. J., told me that no matter what he did or how hard he tried, it was never enough for me. He was right. I constantly found fault with him as a husband and as a dad. But when he implied that I was impossible to please
- [Recipe Styling](https://reneeswope.com/recipe-styling/) - Sweet Sugar Cookies Recipe Type: Dessert Author: Hello You Designs Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 10 mins Total time: 15 mins Serves: 36 These sweet, simple and chewy sugar cookies will be the new house favorite! Ingredients 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 1½ cups granulated sugar 1 egg 2¼ cups all-purpose flour ½
- [Sweet Features](https://reneeswope.com/sweet-features/) - When looking for words to fill these sample posts the traditional thing to turn to is a Lorem Ipsum. An Ipsum is a filler text used to demonstrate the graphic elements of a document or visual presentation. While searching for something different to fill these pages found that you can find all kinds of Ipsum
- [Built in Gorgeous](https://reneeswope.com/built-in-gorgeous/) - Does anyone remember Futurama? It was easily one of my favorite shows as a kid. How about some Futurama Ipsum for your enjoyment! Get yours at fillerama.io Yes, except the Dave Matthews Band doesn't rock. Hey, tell me something. You've got all this money. How come you always dress like you're doing your laundry? Oh
- [Boutique Styling](https://reneeswope.com/boutique-styling/) - How about some Cupacake Ipsum?! Check it out at cupcakeipsum.com and create your own delicious Ipsum. Dessert candy tootsie roll jelly-o bear claw chocolate bar apple pie. Chocolate cake tootsie roll lollipop caramels fruitcake powder marzipan. I love cake chocolate cake danish cheesecake chocolate ice cream jujubes caramels. Jelly oat cake jujubes gummies macaroon. Tiramisu
- [The Features you will find](https://reneeswope.com/the-features-you-will-find/) - Created with the Lady Entrepreneur in mind, this gorgeous onepage style theme will impress your clients, readers & anyone else that happens upon your site. Hello CEO is a modern & elegant onepage style site. Gorgeous sections on the homepage are versatile and completely customizable. The homepage features subtle fade & hover effects. Change the
- [When Change Is Inevitable & Hope is Optional](https://reneeswope.com/when-change-is-inevitable-thriving-is-optional/) - This post includes some affiliates links. You can find our disclosure page here. Sometimes you must leave the comfort of what is to embrace the potential of what will be. @KristenStrong | #GirlMeetsChange {Click to Tweet} I love these words written by my friend Kristen Strong in her wonderful book,Girl Meets Change: truths to carry you through life's transitions. God is stretching me with Kristen's words, encouraging me
- [Is it worth it?](https://reneeswope.com/is-it-worth-it/) - I thought I was over the hurt. Was sure I had moved on. But as I slipped my thumb under the seal of the invitation to my 10-year college reunion, it hit me: I had not forgiven her. During our last semester at school, the harsh tone and accusing anger of a friend had been
- [Christ-Centered Christmas Gift Ideas](https://reneeswope.com/a-few-of-my-favorite-things-christmas-gift-ideas/) - I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for creative and affordable Christmas gift ideas for teachers and co-workers, and I love it when I find one that keeps Christ at the center of Christmas. Several years ago, my friend Tracie share the cutest idea using the word COCOA written on a gift tag and tied
- [3 Ways To Boss Your Heart Around](https://reneeswope.com/3-ways-to-boss-your-heart-around/) - I caught my heart heading to the pit of discouragement for spring break. It was supposed to go to the beach with my family and me, but it was not cooperating. We had been hit by one emotional and financial crisis after another. A close friend had just found out that, after a year’s worth of abdominal pain,
- [When You Feel Like You're Not Enough...](https://reneeswope.com/when-you-feel-like-youre-not-enough/) - I was completely blindsided. I'd been called into a meeting at my church with another women in leadership who was upset with me. She'd been upset with me for months, but I had just found out about it. Someone had told her I didn't agree with the way she was leading. But that wasn't at
- [When Grace Kneels Before You](https://reneeswope.com/no-more-guilt-induced-doubt-2/) - Welcome Encouragement for Today friends! I'm so glad you hopped over after reading my devotion! I'll explain in just a minute how to enter today's giveaway. But first I want to share 3 ways we can replace our guilt-induced doubt with grace-infused confidence pulled from Day 12 of my "60-Days to Stop Doubting Yourself Confident Heart Devotional": "She never thought anyone would find out about their affair, but
- [Only Jesus](https://reneeswope.com/only-jesus/) - {Affiliate links in this post. See disclosure here.} Sometimes I wonder if God gave us a longing for unconditional love because He knew it could lead us back to Him? Throughout high school and college, I struggled with an aching emptiness that eventually led to depression. I remember there was one afternoon I was thinking about
- [With God’s power in you, change is possible for you!](https://reneeswope.com/ill-never-change/)
- [Set Apart](https://reneeswope.com/set-apart/) - “What are you good at? Is there something you would love to do?” When Miriam, the facilitator of our team-building exercise asked these questions, I didn’t have an answer. Here I was, thirty-two years old and I didn’t know what I was good at or enjoyed. I’d never had the courage or time to think about what
- [The Day I Lost It](https://reneeswope.com/the-day-i-lost-it/) - Sometimes I wonder how I can go from being in such great place with God — feeling peaceful, patient, and kind – and all of a sudden something happens that sends me into an orbit of aggravation! The other day I was working from home. Alone. The house was quiet, and I was feeling all kinds of productive. That afternoon
- [A Confident Heart ebook SALE: only $1.99 through July 30th](https://reneeswope.com/a-confident-heart-ebook-sale-only-1-99-through-july-30th/) - Some affiliates links included in this post. See disclosure here. Be sure to get your eBOOK and tell all your friends!! It's available this week only at these eBook retailers: AMAZON - http://bit.ly/ACH_kindle BARNES & NOBLE - http://bit.ly/ACHBN LIFEWAY - http://bit.ly/ACHlifeway iTUNES - http://bit.ly/ACHitune CBD - http://bit.ly/ACHcbd KOBO - bit.ly/ACHkobo GOOGLE PLAY - bit.ly/ACHgoogle Don't have an eBook Reader? Download the KINDLE app for your computer for FREE! Find
- [You Are Not Alone](https://reneeswope.com/you-are-not-alone-2/) - I don't know what you're going through this week, but I'm wondering if maybe you're feeling a little beaten up by life? Maybe you've gotten through a storm or two, yet as soon as you could dry off and breathe again, another one hits. Deep disappointment, physical pain, broken relationships and fractured hopes can take
- [I'm Breaking Up With Perfect](https://reneeswope.com/im-breaking-up-with-perfect/) - Have you ever been in a relationship you knew was bad but didn't know how to end it? Whether it is a friend who betrayed us, a boyfriend who ignored us, or a coworker who undermined us, unhealthy relationships are bad for the soul. But there is one relationship that steals potential from all of our ther relationships—including our relationship with ourselves
- [Finding Spiritual Whitespace {guest post & book giveaway}](https://reneeswope.com/daring-to-rest/) - Do you ever wish you could just slow down and discover who you’d be if your life wasn’t filled with so much rush? The other day my friend told me she felt lost: lost in the hurry of carpool and kids, deadlines and dirty laundry… and she was tired, and I shared with her some
- [Fear Not For I am With You {FREE printable + giveaway}](https://reneeswope.com/fearnot/) - "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) My 8-year-old son walked into my room before school one morning and declared, "Mom, I don’t want to have any anxious thoughts today!"
- [When I am afraid {FREE printable & giveaway}](https://reneeswope.com/when-i-am-afraid/) - Welcome Encouragement for Today friends! I am so glad you are here! In my devotion today I shared one of the many ways I have learned to process my worries and fear, and how God used my own struggles to help my son overcome his. And I also wanted to share a printable to download and keep for
- [Do You Ever Wonder How "She" Does It All?](https://reneeswope.com/9673/) - How do some women have time for exercise, prayer, Bible reading, family, work and ministry every single day – and I'm just hanging on by a thread? There are days when I feel like I can barely get my family fed, send kinds off to school in clean clothes, and get myself to work on time (barely). My friend, Crystal Paine {also known as Money
- [Heart & Soul GiveAway {Comments pt 2}](https://reneeswope.com/when-concern-consumes-me-free-download-a-giveaway/) - ENTER TO WIN Click "Share Your Thoughts" and do just that on my blog today. Your comment will be your entry into my "Heart-and-Soul Spa” gift-pack GIVEAWAY that includes my A Confident Heart Devotional book, my favorite prayer journal and a Bath & Body Works gift card! {If you are reading this via email, join us on my blog to enter
- [{FREE DOWNLOAD} 3 Steps to Get God’s Peace ](https://reneeswope.com/3-steps-to-getting-gods-peace-2/) - Welcome friends!! I had a technical hiccup with the link from my P31 devotion "When Concern Consumes Me" CLICK HERE to find my FREE DOWNLOAD "3 Steps to Get God's Peace" and Enter to WIN my "Heart-and-Soul Spa" gift-pack! {See you there. And thanks for joining me today!}
- [3 Truths To Hold Onto When Our Plans Don't Go As Planned ](https://reneeswope.com/3-truths-we-all-need-when-plans-dont-go-as-planned/) - I had it all planned: when they would all arrive what I needed to do beforehand how I wanted my heart to feel when they got here Not wanting to turn into "the frazzled friend" I can become when planning a get-together, I banned myself from Pinterest and my own desire for "perfect." I planned ahead and recruited help from a friend. Together we would be prepared. Simple appetizers
- [](https://reneeswope.com/resurrection-hope/)
- [By His side, I'm led. {a Promise & a Prayer}](https://reneeswope.com/by-his-side-im-led-a-promise-a-prayer/) - The longer I live, the more I realize how much I desperately need Jesus. On my own, I'm overwhelmed, confused, torn in a million directions. By His side... I'm led. Jesus, as I walk into a new week please keep me close. I need Your wisdom and vision to see my circumstances (no matter what they may
- [I want what I want... and I don't want to wait for it.](https://reneeswope.com/i-want-what-i-want-and-i-dont-like-to-wait-for-it/) - Patience is not a strength of mine. I want what I want... and I don't want to wait for it. Some days my inability to wait without complaining is painfully obvious. Like one recent afternoon I sped up, instead of slowing down, when the light turned yellow. And my son asked why I did that. Before sifting my thoughts through a filter of
- [A Promise & A Prayer {new every morning}](https://reneeswope.com/a-promise-a-prayer-new-every-morning/) - Jesus, I'm so grateful for Your love and compassion that never fails. They are new every morning. Not just on my good mornings, or mornings that follow good days. But every single morning. Your faithfulness is so much more than I deserve. ‪ Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They
- [Over $40 in FREE Confident Heart Resources](https://reneeswope.com/spring-special-offer-receive-over-40-in-free-resources/) - When you purchase A Confident Heart you will be qualified to receive over $40.00 in FREE RESOURCES. {See the special list below} The primary purpose of this promotion is to bless you with a gift that is worth more than the cost of the book. And if you already have a copy, to bless you for blessing someone
- [Instead of Giving In...](https://reneeswope.com/instead-of-giving-in/) - I’ve always admired people who never give in. You know, the ones who don’t consider defeat when they blow it? I wish I were that brave. But honestly, I tend to beat myself up a little when I fall short of the woman I want to be, or the woman God is calling me to be. Like
- [Oh my word{s}!](https://reneeswope.com/oh-my-words/) - Why did I say that? Why couldn't I just keep my mouth shut? If only I had zipped my lips! At least once a week I say something I regret. Sometimes it's more like once a day. Or more. Words come too easily for me. Especially words fueled by flaming-hot-emotions. Sometimes it's the words I say but other times it's the
- [If you feel burned out and rarely have time for yourself, read this:](https://reneeswope.com/if-you-never-have-time-for-yourself-read-this/) - (some affiliate links in this post) I have a confession to make. I've been struggling with something for a while. It's called EXHAUSTION. I don't seem to have enough hours in my days. Not enough time to write or work or read or rest. Not enough time for God or my family or friends. And definitely not enough time for
- [Because {YOU} are His](https://reneeswope.com/because-you-are-his/) - Startled by the silence, I shot up in bed and searched for blurry neon red lights that confirmed it was three in the morning, time to feed the baby. But Andrew, our then newborn son, hadn’t made a sound. Was something wrong? Or was he actually sleeping through the night? Wavering between panic and joy, I felt my
- [Be STRONG and COURAGEOUS](https://reneeswope.com/be-strong-and-courageous/) - God's been showing me how much I rely on my own strength and strategies to do His will. It's one thing for me to really sense God's direction but it's a whole other thing when I think I know where He's leading me to go AND I know how to get there. My ways are wearing
- [Devotional eBOOK ONLY $1.99 til Midnight](https://reneeswope.com/devotional-ebook-only-1-99-til-midnight-sunday-jan-4th-only/) - Sale Ends at MIDNIGHT!! Have you gotten your copy of my "60-days To Stop Doubting Yourself Confident Heart DEVOTIONAL"eBook?? It's ONLY $1.99 at these eBOOK Retailers AMAZON => http://bit.ly/ACHDevoEbookAMZN iTUNES => http://bit.ly/ACHDevoEbookiTunes LIFEWAY => http://bit.ly/ACHDevoEbookLifeWay KOBO => http://bit.ly/ACHDevoEbookKOBO GOOGLE PLAY => http://bit.ly/ACHDevoEbookGooglePlay Christian Book Distrib. => http://bit.ly/ACHDevoEbookCBD Don't have an E-Reader? Download Free Kindle App {Sale ends at midnight SUNDAY Jan 4th} Amazon might keep it on
- [What if...?](https://reneeswope.com/what-if-you-were-ready/) - My "60-days To Stop Doubting Yourself Confident Heart DEVOTIONAL"eBook is ONLY $1.99 at these eBOOK retailers AMAZON => http://bit.ly/ACHDevoEbookAMZN iTUNES => http://bit.ly/ACHDevoEbookiTunes LIFEWAY => http://bit.ly/ACHDevoEbookLifeWay KOBO => http://bit.ly/ACHDevoEbookKOBO GOOGLE PLAY => http://bit.ly/ACHDevoEbookGooglePlay Christian Book Distrib. => http://bit.ly/ACHDevoEbookCBD {sale ends SUNDAY Jan 4th} Don't have an E-Reader? Download #FREE KINDLE app on your computer here=> bit.ly/KindleReadingAPP {affiliate links on this page}
- [Sometimes I forget...](https://reneeswope.com/sometimes-i-forget/) - Sometimes I forget. I get wrapped up in all the Christmas-giving and forget to unwrap the gift of Immanuel, God with me. In all the rush I forget my need for His soul-calming hush. But I want to remember. I want to unwrap not only the gift God gives but the gift He {is}. His presence is the present I
- [](https://reneeswope.com/9301/) - Want a sneak peek at what will be on sale at DaySpring.com after Christmas?? I can't wait to stock up on gifts and goodies for next year at 50-75% off! CLICK HERE (affiliate links included)
- [When My Sunday Heart Dreads the Monday Hurry {a promise & a prayer}](https://reneeswope.com/when-your-mind-feels-crowded-a-promise-a-prayer/) - As my Sunday-heart glances towards the Monday-hurry, my mind starts to feel crowded. Competing thoughts fight for my attention; cutting in front of each other to be first in line. Too many things on my to-do list feel urgent; tempting me to neglect what is most important. And so I start this week with a promise and a prayer, inviting God to be first in line: to lead my days and decisions...
- [I just found out about an amazing AMAZON offer...](https://reneeswope.com/i-just-found-out-about-an-amazing-amazon-offer/) - {affiliate links used in post} I just found out about an amazing offer and I wanted to let you know about it before it ends. Through TODAY ONLY (Sunday 12/14/14} you can get Ruth Soukup's new book, Living Well Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life for just $8.96 when you use the coupon code BOOKDEAL25 at check on AMAZON. This
- [God sees. God hears. God answers. {Target gift card & book GIVEAWAY}](https://reneeswope.com/god-sees-god-hears-god-answers-target-gift-card-book-giveaway/) - In May 2013, our son Andrew told us he was an atheist. The boy we knew and loved had been fading away for months, but we couldn't get him to tell us why. Now we knew. We prayed. We begged God to intervene. We had no idea how He would answer. If you've ever prayed for someone you desperately loved ... If
- [How God Answered A Not-So-Small Prayer In A Really Big Way { + a GIVEAWAY}](https://reneeswope.com/how-god-answered-a-not-so-small-prayer-in-a-huge-way-a-giveaway/) - When Laura Sobiech and I planned time to talk about her memoir, "Fly a Little Higher," we had no idea God had already connected our lives in the most unexpected way. What unfolded just two days before our interview left us both in tears and in awe of God. If you're reading this via email CLICK HERE to watch a short
- [Fly a Little Higher: a life changing story {+ Book GiveAway}](https://reneeswope.com/fly-a-little-higher-a-life-changing-story-book-giveaway/) - “Okay, Lord, you can have him. But if he must die, I want it to be for something big. I want someone’s life to be changed forever.” This is what Laura Sobiech prayed when she found out her seventeen-year-old son, Zach, had only one year to live. With this desperate prayer, she released her child to God’s will
- [Guiltless Living {Giveaway} Winners](https://reneeswope.com/guiltless-living-giveaway-winners/) - The three winner’s of the You Were Made For Guiltless Living are: Sarah T., Samantha L., and Mary K. You will each receive a copy of Ginger Hubbard's Guiltless Living! We have the winner's emails from your entries, so we will be in touch to get your mailing addresses.
- [Your Life Still Counts {guest post & giveaway}](https://reneeswope.com/your-life-still-counts-guest-post-giveaway/) - God has a plan for your life and a purpose for your future. No matter what you’ve been through or what’s been done to you, if you’re still breathing God isn’t finished with you yet! Sometimes we just need to be reminded. Other times we need to be persuaded to believe it's true. In her new
- [A Confident Heart eBook {almost} FREE!](https://reneeswope.com/ebook-only-99cents/) - My eBook is ON SALE for $0.99! Buy yours at the following retailers: AMAZON - http://bit.ly/amznACHBARNES & NOBLE - http://bit.ly/ACHBNiTUNES - http://bit.ly/ACHitune CBD - http://bit.ly/ACHcbd KOBO - bit.ly/ACHkobo GOOGLE PLAY - bit.ly/ACHgoogle LIFEWAY - http://bit.ly/ACHlifeway Don't have an eReader? You can download the KINDLE app on your computer. Find out more here.
- [{together} for Good ](https://reneeswope.com/together-for-good/) - Have you ever wondered how God could work all things together for good in your life? Maybe you're in a situation that feels impossible, a marriage that is unraveling, a job environment that is unhealthy and all you can see is HARD. In my Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion today, I share how I wrestled with this in the midst of very difficult circumstances during
- [Magnetic & Messy Beautiful Love {Giveaway Winners}](https://reneeswope.com/magnetic-messy-beautiful-love-giveaway-winners/) - The three winner’s of my Magnetic Giveaway are: Debbie F., Drisana G., and Maureen C. You will each receive a copy of Lynn Cowell's new book, “Magnetic: Becoming the Girl He Wants." We have your emails from your entries, so my assistant Megan will be in touch to get your mailing addresses. The two winner's of my Messy Beautiful Love
- [Messy Beautiful Love](https://reneeswope.com/messy-beautiful-love/) - A guest post from my friend, ~Darlene Schacht, The Time-Warp Wife Darkness enveloped the sky drawing its curtain around us, while the rumble of thunder composed a symphony of sound that was carried by on the wings of the wind. It was only 8 pm, but Michael was fast asleep. Stretched out on his recliner by
- [#TheBestYes Giveaway Winners ](https://reneeswope.com/thebestyes-giveaway-winners/) - The five winner’s of my recent #TheBestYes giveaway are: Valerie H., LaTosha, Maureen G., Marie M., Missy L. You will each receive a copy of Lysa TerKeurst new book, The Best Yes. We have your emails from your entries, so my assistant Megan will be in touch to get your mailing addresses.
- [FLASH SALE: A Confident Heart eBOOK just over $2! ](https://reneeswope.com/flash-sale-a-confident-heart-ebook-just-over-2/) - FLASH {SALE} I found out today that the retailers listed below have A Confident Heart eBOOK on SALE {this weekend ONLY} for just over $2! Amazon ($2.24): click here Christian Book.com ($2.39): click here LifeWay ($2.99): click here Barnes & Noble ($2.99): click here
- [October Giveaway Winners](https://reneeswope.com/october-giveaway-winners/) - The three winner’s of my Pumpkin Spice Grace & Fall Book-Bundle are: Barb R., Lisa E., and Connie You will each receive a copy of my Confident Heart Devotional and Lysa Terkeurst's new best selling book, The Best Yes! plus a fall scented candle from Bath & Body Works! The three winner’s of my His Banner Over You is Love are: Gerri A., Statia,
- ["Who Told You That You Were ________ ?"](https://reneeswope.com/who-told-you-that-you-were-________/) - “What’s wrong with me?” It's a question I've asked far too many times. When I forget to do something important, when I’m late for a meeting, when I yell at my kids, lose my keys, can't keep up with deadlines and dirty laundry, or walk into a room in my house and can't remember why I
- [You Were Made for Guiltless Living {guest post & giveaway}](https://reneeswope.com/you-were-made-for-guiltless-living-guest-post-giveaway/) - Can we have an honest conversation about guilt? Everywhere I go, women are wrestling with feeling guilty all.the.time. And I understand. It's something I struggle with, too. If you are familiar with the heavy weight of guilt, pull up a chair and lean in. I've invited my friend Ginger Hubbard to share with us some powerful truths she's learning to hold
- [Giving God My "I Can't..."](https://reneeswope.com/giving-god-my-i-cant/) - Sometimes I just want to shout, “I can’t DO THIS!” Circumstances can get overwhelming. Relationships can be frustrating. And there are days when I just can't figure out what to do. I was having one of those week recently, and God used my little one to help me see the missing piece in my process. Aster was trying to
- [Special Discount & Giveaway Winner!](https://reneeswope.com/special-discount-giveaway-winner/) - Be sure to take advantage of your 15% DISCOUNT that ends Oct 25th!! Jennifer from Studio JRU is offering a 15% discount in her art store - just for you ~ through Saturday 10/25/14. CLICK HERE to visit Jennifer’s online art studio and store and Studio JRU and use discount code: creativity at checkout for 15% off. ORDER a print for yourself & friend {just in time for Christmas} LAYER's Art Print Giveaway WINNER Donna
- [Special Discount & Giveaway Winners!!](https://reneeswope.com/special-discount-giveaway-winners/) - Be sure to take advance of the 15% DISCOUNT~ ends Oct 25th!! Jennifer from Studio JRU is offering a 15% discount in her art store - just for you ~ through Friday 10/24/14. CLICK HERE to visit Jennifer’s online art studio and store and Studio JRU and use discount code: creativity at checkout for 15% off. ORDER a print for yourself & friend {just in time for Christmas} LAYER's Art Print Giveaway WINNER
- [His Banner Over You is Love {guest post & giveaway}](https://reneeswope.com/his-banner-over-you-is-love-guest-post-giveaway/) - Ever longed for other's approval? Does the spin cycle of affirmation-seeking sometimes leave your heart wrung out? Today, I've invited my beautiful friend, Jennifer Lee Dukes, author of Love Idol, to sit with us for a while and share how we can live free from our need for approval - knowing we are already preapproved: My 10-year-old daughter decided a
- [Got a girl you love? {#Magnetic Giveaway}](https://reneeswope.com/got-a-girl-you-love-magnetic-giveaway/) - There is a longing in the heart of every girl. A longing to be wanted and pursued. Each night when I pray for my beautiful girl, I want her to hear me thanking God for who she is and for the gift of being her mom! I want her to know she is wanted and valued. That I
- [Pumpkin Spice Grace & Fall Book-Bundle Give-away](https://reneeswope.com/pumpkin-spice-grace-fall-book-bundle-give-away/) - Have you ever gotten that awful pit-in-your-stomach feeling after finding out you let someone down? It felt like the wind had been knocked out of me as I read through an email from a client, sent to my manager and forwarded to me, describing how I had let some details fall through the cracks on
- [#TheBestYes: Replay and Giveaways](https://reneeswope.com/thebestyes-replay-giveaways-lets-recapture-the-us-in-the-midst-of-our-rush/) - Do you ever feel like those you care about most tend to get "less" of you instead of the "best" of you? I often do. Yet, I long with all my heart to put my head on my pillow each night with a smile on my face, knowing I lived and loved that day with no regrets. Sounds impossible
- [I Want to Be Brave {+ a giveaway}](https://reneeswope.com/i-want-to-be-brave-a-giveaway/) - I've always wanted to be brave. And sometimes I am. But then there are those other times… times when I let fear, doubt and the comparison curse make me feel not-so-brave. And during those times, my feelings of "blah" and not-so-brave need a kick in the booty. Others times I need a friend to remind me I am brave. I just
- [We're Celebrating 5 Years of (in)Courage:ment {& giveaways galore}](https://reneeswope.com/celebrating-5-years-of-incourage-ment-giveaways/) - Five years. Five years and thousands of women across the globe gathering at (in)courage each new day with their words. Five years ago, this place was created on the internet for women to gather. A place that has become a shelter from the storm for so many. A heart-space filled with words that offer sanctuary in the midst of
- [Words For The Weary](https://reneeswope.com/words-for-the-weary/) - They met while Jill was coaching Leanne’s 13-year-old daughter, Shelby, on a junior high basketball team. Years later, when Shelby was in high school she got seriously injured, and Jill reached out to her with encouragement, prayers and notes filled with words Shelby needed to hear. One day Leanne sat down and wrote a letter
- [When Self-Doubt Weighs Us Down {a FREE 7-Day Doubt Diet}](https://reneeswope.com/have-you-tried-the-free-7-day-doubt-diet/) - Does doubt or discouragement every weight you down? Are you tired of carrying the heavy load of uncertainty and insecurity? If so, I hope you'll sign up for my FREE 7-day Doubt Diet. Created with some of the most impactful parts of my book, A Confident Heart, I've written a short devotional for friends like you. My FREE 7-day Doubt Diet is something you can
- [Giveaway Winners ](https://reneeswope.com/giveaway-winners-5/) - The two winner’s of my recent I Want To Be Brave a giveaway are: Katie T., Marie S. You will each receive a copy of Annie Down’s new book, Let’s All Be Brave . We have your emails from your entries, so my assistant Megan will be in touch to get your mailing addresses.
- [How Are You, Really?](https://reneeswope.com/how-are-you-really/) - {Photo source} Should I be honest? I wondered. What if I start crying? What if she doesn't really have time to listen? What if she's just asking to be nice? I could keep it simple and say, "I'm fine." There I was, standing in the lobby at church waiting for my husband, when a friend
- [3 Ways To Kick Condemnation To The Curb {KC2TC}](https://reneeswope.com/3-ways-to-kick-condemnation-to-the-curb/) - Have you ever wished you could know the difference between conviction and condemnation? Are you tired of feeling weighed down with guilt and shame? If so, you're not alone! I believe condemnation is one of our most common and crippling heart-struggles. And I'm determined to kick them to the curb! I hope you'll join me. In my Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion today, I
- [Last Week's {Giveaway} Winners](https://reneeswope.com/giveaway-winners-3/) - Thank you for participating in last week's GIVEAWAYS! I love reading through your comments and praying over your hearts! If you haven't already be sure to SIGN UP for my EMAIL UPDATES in the top of my sidebar so you don't miss a POST or GIVEAWAY! You’ll Never Be Perfect {Giveaway} The winner of my Confident Heart Summer Devotional gift pack is: Christy
- [Living #FREE](https://reneeswope.com/living-free-giveaways/) - Freedom. We long for it. We fight for it. We will do anything to get it. Yet sometimes we forget to live in it! This weekend while our family celebrated the freedom and independence of our country, I was reminded what freedom means and how easily I take it for granted, especially as a Christ-follower. Yet Jesus
- [Why Women Are Hungry for Love (and a Giveaway)](https://reneeswope.com/why-women-are-hungry-for-love-and-a-giveaway/) - This summer I've had the beautiful privilege of getting to know Emily Wierenga and have thoroughly enjoyed the gift of her story told in her new book Atlas Girl. Emily is an award-winning journalist, blogger, commissioned artist and columnist, as well as the author of five books including her memoir, Atlas Girl: Finding Home in the Last Place I
- [This Week's Wardrobe {a promise & a prayer}](https://reneeswope.com/the-best-way-to-start-a-promise-a-prayer/) - Beautiful artwork by @incourage. "Since I've been chosen by God for this new life of LOVE, Lord dress me in the wardrobe YOU have picked out for me: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Through Your spirit living in me, make me even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master
- [You'll Never Be Perfect {and that's a good thing}](https://reneeswope.com/ill-never-be-perfect-and-thats-a-good-thing/) - I couldn't silence the words used to describe how much I'd disappointed her. An email filled with criticism had slipped into my inbox that week and it hurt my feelings … for days. The shooting pain of failure, regret, and flaw-focused thinking struck like lightening through my heart. That one email set off a storm of self-doubting emotions. It's
- ["I Need Some Help Here" {book giveaway} WINNERS!](https://reneeswope.com/winners-of-i-need-some-help-here-for-moms/) - It’s easy to feel worried and anxious as a parent. There are so many areas of your child’s life that can go wrong along the way. What’s a mom to do? In I Need Some Help Here! Hope for When Your Kids Don’t Go According to Plan, Kathi Lipp meets you in your moments of panic or
- [how to start your week {a promise & a prayer}](https://reneeswope.com/how-to-start-your-week-a-promise-a-prayer/) - {Art Source: @incourage} Jesus, teach me to number my days this week, so that I might gain a heart of wisdom; not because You want me to get more done but because You want me to slow down and remember what You've already done: *You've defined my worth outside of my work. (Titus 3:4-5) *You've pre-determined my
- [My Goodness: A Devotion & Prayer for {YOU}](https://reneeswope.com/my-goodness-a-devotion-prayer-for-you/) - A sweet gift and guest post from my friend, Sheila Mangum: It was well into the second quarter of the high school basketball game when the senior captain of the home team showed up late. Just that morning his mother unexpectedly passed away from a sudden hemorrhage. She’d been in remission after a five-year fight
- [how to start your week {a promise & a prayer}](https://reneeswope.com/a-promise-a-prayer/) - Lord, whatever this week holds, whatever You give me to do ~big or small~ whether I do them well or not, please help me do each assignment You give me with great {LOVE} In Jesus' name, amen. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
- [When You Need A Little Help & A Lot of Hope](https://reneeswope.com/when-you-need-a-little-help-a-lot-of-hope/) - My friend Kathi Lipp has written a book every mom needs to read. And I promise I'm not saying that because she's my friend. I'm saying that because {you} are! Maybe we've never met but, because our hearts and lives are connected through my blog or Facebook page, I see you as a friend God's brought into my life to encourage. A friend
- [Living a Limitless Life](https://reneeswope.com/7672/) - Remembering God's faithfulness in the past and recognizing His faithfulness in the present, gives us courage and hope for the future. Thank you all so much for participating in last week's “Limitless Life” giveaway on my blog! I loved reading reading all your comments. The 5 winners of Limitless Life by Derwin Gray are…. Heather with a @yahoo.com email Teresa Griffin
- [When Your Life Feels Like a Mess...](https://reneeswope.com/when-life-feels-like-a-mess/) - Do you ever feel like your days are filled with one messy relationship and situation after another? During "messy" seasons, it’s easy for me to label my circumstances and myself as “a mess” and then wonder how God could ever use me, or my experiences, for good. To protect my heart from discouragement, I often
- [Hope Runs](https://reneeswope.com/hope-runs/) - In 1998 our family fell in love with Ethiopia and a little girl named Meseret. We met "Messie" through Compassion International's Child Sponsorship program in Ethiopia when she was 7-years old. Ten years later, we sensed God leading us to adopt a little girl from Africa who needed a forever family. But this is all we
- [Surprised by Motherhood](https://reneeswope.com/surprised-by-motherhood/) - Her small hands peel back the covers to see if my eyes are open. Gently, I feel her fingers against my cheek as she loudly whispers, "Time to wake up mommy!" I smile {with my eyes closed} and roll over. It will take more than her sweetness to convince this tired mama to get out
- [I Don't Really Know You, Yet I Want To](https://reneeswope.com/i-dont-really-know-you-yet-i-want-to/) - She stood in front of the stove with her back towards me. Looking down at a glass dish filled with warm chocolate goodness, I watched Michelle slice 2x2 inch squares. Carefully, she cut them just the right size so each person could get at least one brownie. Michelle is at our house almost every Monday
- [He said to her...](https://reneeswope.com/he-said-to-her/) - Happy Easter friends! You're in my thoughts tonight. And I'm praying for you... asking Jesus to give you reminders of HIS resurrection hope and life in you ~ all week! ~Renee
- [She Laughs](https://reneeswope.com/she-laughs/) - It’s so easy to forget our smiles and lose our laughter in the midst of busy days and endless to-do lists. But what a gift it is to others when they see us enjoying life and enjoying them. As this Mother’s Day approaches, let’s take hold of the joy described in Proverbs 31:25 and share it
- [You've Been Pre-Approved](https://reneeswope.com/this-week-could-be-different/) - What if this week, every time we look in the mirror and think … "Uggh, I need to ______ {lose weight, do something about these wrinkles, get rid of those dark circles under my eyes, etc.} you say this out loud: "He calls me Beautiful." Because it's true. He does! You are chosen. Treasured. Redeemed.
- [Last Week's Giveaway {winners}](https://reneeswope.com/last-weeks-giveaway-winners-4/) - Thank you all so much for participating in last week's giveaways on my blog! Your responses and stories drew me in as I read and prayed over each of you. I’ve got lots of book giveaways coming up this month so be sure watch your emails for blog post updates. If you’re not subscribed yet, be sure sign
- [No More Guilt-induced Doubt](https://reneeswope.com/no-more-guilt-induced-doubt/) - Welcome Encouragement for Today friends! I'm so glad you stopped by. You can enter today's drawing at the bottom of this post. And if you'd like to hear about upcoming giveaways or more confessions from an imperfect woman in desperate need of grace, be sure to SIGN UP for EMAIL UPDATES in my sidebar -->
- [When Your Heart Needs Mending ](https://reneeswope.com/when-your-heart-needs-mending/) - Sometimes our hearts get to hurting and we don't know where to turn. When our emotions are bleeding it's easy to forget we have a Healer. It's easy to run from the pain. My friend Suzie Eller is here today to remind us that we don't have to run away. Jesus is inviting us to
- [When You Have a Burden But Don't Want to Be One](https://reneeswope.com/when-you-have-a-burden-but-dont-want-to-be-one/) - My email was supposed to be a prayer request, but it started out sounding more like an apology. Although we needed friends to pray, I was hesitant to ask because I didn't want my request to be a burden for anyone. A few years ago my husband J.J. was having health problems and needed to have a
- [for I AM {with you}](https://reneeswope.com/for-i-am-with-you/) - Nothing comforts me like God's promises. Nothing calms my heart the way He can. And on those days when I need to be brave and know I'm not alone, I remember the first time He spoke these words into my fearful heart and it made all the difference, over 25 years ago: This beautiful scripture art and more
- [Romans 8:28 Canvas Print {winner}](https://reneeswope.com/romans-828-canvas-print-winner/) - The winner of last week's canvas print giveaway is Karen whose email starts with "prov31_kdc". We've got your email Karen, and we'll be in touch to get your mailing address. If you'd like order this Romans 8:28 framed canvas print, Emily is offering us {ALL} a 10% discount through tomorrow - Sunday March 9th at midnight. It
- [He works {all things} together for good?](https://reneeswope.com/he-works-all-things-together-for-good/) - "I need extra praying power. I had a biopsy Thursday, and now I'm waiting for results. Having a tough time, both because of the pain and the unknowns." As I read Michele's text, my heart ached. Why God? Why now? Why this? Why Michele? Hasn't she been through so much already this year? Michele's reaction has been a lot
- [Let God Love {YOU} Contest Winners ](https://reneeswope.com/let-god-love-you-contest-winners/) - CONGRATULATIONS Krystal Bowman Kirk & Sharon @faithhopecherrytea You are the winners of my #LetGodLoveYou Confident Heart Contest! We've got your emails! And we'll be in touch to get your mailing addresses so we can send you: 2 signed copies of my Confident Heart Devotional book a $50 gift card to Amazon or Target (you choose) and
- [Last week's giveaway {winners}!](https://reneeswope.com/last-weeks-giveaway-winners-3/) - Thank you all so much for participating in the giveaways on my blog over the past 2 weeks! It's been so much fun and so encouraging to read your comments. I've got a few more coming up so watch your emails for blog post updates. And, if you're not signed up for Email Updates, be sure
- [Everyday Confetti: How To #LetGodLove {others} Through Us](https://reneeswope.com/everyday-confetti-how-to-letgodlove-others-through-us/) - Every year my calendar gets filled with busy days, holidays, birthdays and lots of ordinary days in-between! And every January, I tell myself... "I want this year to be different. I want us to make more memories, and make a difference together, as a family. Joshua and Andrew are already sixteen and nineteen. I've got to get more intentional before they move out!" Do you
- [When We Belong To Jesus](https://reneeswope.com/when-we-belong-to-jesus/) - We had what felt like a storybook Christian romance. Mike was tall, dark and handsome. He had a successful business and he loved Jesus. But to top it all off, instead of asking me for a date, Mike asked if we could "court." Our lives were connected on so many levels. We lived on the
- [Let God Love {YOU} Contest & Giveaway](https://reneeswope.com/let-god-love-you-contest-giveaway/) - The more we grasp God's love for us, and let Him really love us, the more confident and secure we become. To help you experience the depth of HIS love, I'm hosting a "Let God Love You" {love} fest & contest this month! Here's what you can expect and HOW you can ENTER to WIN: I'll be sharing a few
- [A Sunday Afternoon Prayer {& Giveaway Love-Links}](https://reneeswope.com/a-sunday-prayer-giveaway-love-links/) - Jesus, as I look at the week ahead, my heart is tempted to get ahead of {YOU}. Tempted to do instead of be. Tempted to strive instead of rest. And yet {YOU} are there, waiting to meet with me. Waiting to quiet my thoughts with YOUR peace and perspective. Waiting to refuel my heart with
- [FREE Confident Heart Devotional eBOOK {today only!}](https://reneeswope.com/free-confident-heart-devotional-ebook-today-only-2/) - Happy Valentine's Day! I have a surprise for {YOU}! My DEVOTIONAL eBOOK is #FREE {Today} Feb 14th only! FREE eBOOK download ends at midnight, Feb 14th. Grab a #FREE copy now of my Confident Heart DEVOTIONAL at one of the participating retailers link below: Amazon - click here Amazon Canada - click here B&N - click here CBD - click here KOBO -
- [FREE Confident Heart {DEVOTIONAL} eBOOK](https://reneeswope.com/free-confident-heart-devotional-ebook-today-only/) - Happy Valentine's Day! I have a surprise for {YOU}! My DEVOTIONAL eBOOK is #FREE {Today} Feb 14th only! FREE eBOOK download ends at midnight, Feb 14th. Grab a #FREE copy now of my Confident Heart DEVOTIONAL at one of the participating retailers link below: Amazon - click here Amazon Canada - click here B&N - click here CBD - click here KOBO - click here iTunes Store - It's there too! :)
- [{Correct Link} for Prayer Journal GIVEAWAY Entries](https://reneeswope.com/correct-link-for-prayer-journal-giveaway-entries/) - For My Email Subscribers: I apologize that my earlier email/blog post had an incorrect link for entering to win the prayer journal. TO Enter To Win A PRAYER JOURNAL {Our giveaway is over, but I would still love to hear from you!} CLICK HERE to go to my blog "Share Your Thoughts" below the post. Let us
- [a "Let God Love You" {prayer} & giveaway](https://reneeswope.com/a-let-god-love-you-prayer-giveaway/) - Today I wanted to share with you a "LetGodLoveYou" Prayer written by my sweet and amazing friend Sheila Mangum. "Lord, you are GREAT and most worthy to be praised. (Psalm 145:3) There is NONE like You. (Jeremiah 10:6) You are the God who sees. (Genesis 16:13) You see Your daughter in desperate need of Your
- [Let God Love You](https://reneeswope.com/let-god-love-you-giveaway-2/) - The more we grasp God's love for us, and let Him really love us, the more confident and secure we become. Living loved changes everything. When we live LOVED, we don't have to earn love. We simply ARE loved. As Valentine's day got closer, I started praying for you. Praying you would let God love YOU more this month than
- [You're An Overcomer](https://reneeswope.com/youre-going-to-be-okay/) - Have you ever had a friend whose words felt like a hug? It is a rare jewel, but one I have found in my friend Holley. Last week she released a book I've been eagerly waiting for because I couldn't wait to share it with you! I'll share more of my thoughts about it, but
- [Last Week's Giveaway Winners](https://reneeswope.com/last-weeks-giveaway-winners-2/) - Confident Heart Devotionals Becky H Jennifer O Erika Z. KC Cheryl H. Five Love Languages: Singles Edition Heather L Praying for Boys Cindy
- [Praying for Our Boys](https://reneeswope.com/praying-for-our-boys/) - I noticed something different as soon as Andrew walked in the door. One evening, not so long ago, my 16-year old came home from working-out at the Y and told me a custodian had stopped him in the hallway and said he “looked like a champion” after working out. Andrew said he felt like giving
- [The Things We Do {For Love}](https://reneeswope.com/p31-devo-day/) - I've got 10 MORE BOOK GIVEAWAYS this month! To find out when I have a giveaway, sign up in my sidebar where it says “Receive Email Updates.” "What a [woman] desires is unfailing love ..." Proverbs 19:22a (NIV) I had everything I wanted yet felt empty and confused. My life was full of relationships and accomplishments
- [You're more than a conqueror.](https://reneeswope.com/youre-an-overcomer-more-than-a-conqueror/) - You're an overcomer & more than a conqueror. You have nothing to fear. God is for you, so who can be against you? You are a child of the one true King who loves you with an everlasting love. Press on and have hope...because God is faithful. This beautiful artwork was created by, and can be ordered
- [Give the gift of Confidence & Hope {ONLY $5 thru Saturday}](https://reneeswope.com/almost-free-only-5-thru-saturday/) - Lifeway has A Confident Heart on SALE for ONLY $5!! {That's almost FREE} And I'm so excited, I just ordered 20 copies for a rehabilitation/transition home for women coming out of prison in New Mexico! Please join ME by purchasing a copy for $5 to give to a woman in need - perhaps your local WOMENs SHELTER, PREGNANCY center,
- [I used to be afraid to trust God](https://reneeswope.com/i-used-to-be-afraid-to-trust-god/) - "I used to be afraid to trust God. And it really bothered me. I wanted to slip my hand in His and let Him lead. I wanted to put my concerns in His capable arms and believe He could take better care of them than I could. I wanted to have more faith. But I didn't. ***
- [As this week winds down to an end...](https://reneeswope.com/as-this-week-winds-down-to-an-end/) - As this week winds down to an end, Lord, I feel like I'm already at the end -- of myself. And I guess that's ok, because I can never come to the end of You. You know all that is pulling on me. Instead of letting it all pull me apart or pull me down
- [FREE eBook Today Only](https://reneeswope.com/free-ebook-today-only/) - My E-Book is #FREE today!!! I pray you will grab a FREE copy and let Jesus love on you! God wants to give you the security you need and the confidence you long for! Find a copy at these participating retailers: Amazon - click here B&N - click here CBD - click here iTunes Store - It's there too!
- [Giveaway Winners](https://reneeswope.com/giveaway-winners-4/) - Living #FREE {Giveaways} The 2 winner’s of the Limitless Life Conference Calls are: Christine S., Debbie P. You will receive a FREE link to listen to the powerful and fun “Limitless Life” conference-call series, hosted by Proverbs 31Ministries Online Bible Studies team. The 5 winner’s of FREEDOM from Mommy-Guilt are: Lesa F., Amber C., Gaylene, Pam (@aol), Chrissy (@gmail) You will each
- [A Promise & Prayer](https://reneeswope.com/a-promise-prayer/) - Are you facing something that's more than you can handle on your own? You are not in this alone. God is with you. He is for you. Jesus is working on your behalf. Artwork courtesy and copyright of Brianna Lock Jesus, You know what I am facing. And how it feels like way more than
- [Giveaway Winner](https://reneeswope.com/giveaway-winner-2/) - The winner of the "Living in the Light Giveaway” which included a Willow Tree “Angel of Hope,” a Fall Yankee Candle and 3 signed copies of my book, A Confident Heart is Barb. My assistant Leah has emailed you to get your address so we can send the gift pack to you this week!
- [Women of Faith Winners {Charlotte, NC}](https://reneeswope.com/women-of-faith-winners-charlotte-nc/) - I have some FUN news - I received more WOF tickets so we were able to chose 2 winners!! Joyce Denton and Lisette Foster - congratulations!! You are both going to receive a pair of tickets each!! My assistant Leah is emailing you now to confirm you can go and get the names of your guests
- [Women of Faith - Ticket Giveaway {Charlotte, NC}](https://reneeswope.com/women-of-faith-charlotte-ticket-giveaway/) - Women of Faith has graciously given us {Proverbs 31 Ministries Staff} tickets to their Charlotte Women of Faith Conference this weekend, October 19-20, 2012. And we want to share them with you!! Women of Faith Conference is a wonderful place to renew your heart and soul as you connect and worship with other believers, hear
- [Living in the Light of Forgiveness](https://reneeswope.com/living-in-the-light-of-forgiveness/) - Thank you for joining me here in my little corner of the world. I want to welcome those of you hopping over from today's P31 Devotion where my friend Donna shared her story of forgiving her father's abusive behaviors. Today, I asked Donna to share more with us. ______________ I strained on my tip toes to peek
- [Last Week's Giveaway Winners](https://reneeswope.com/last-weeks-giveaway-winners/) - The winners of last week's "Stressed-Less Living" giveaway are: Jan, Joyce C., Kathi C.. My assistant Leah has sent an email to let you know. Now, if you didn't win a copy of Stressed-Less Living by Tracie Miles and want to purchase a copy please click here. The winners of my Oct 4th giveaway are Kelly Kurtanic, Ronda
- [Will I get to see you this fall?](https://reneeswope.com/will-i-get-to-see-you-this-fall/) - I had such an amazing time last weekend at the Radical Girlfriends Conference with RTS Missions and Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon, FL. My favorite part of my events is meeting women during the breaks and hearing how God is speaking personally to each one - in a way only HE could know they
- [Living Stressed-less](https://reneeswope.com/living-stressed-less/) - Does stress impact our confidence? Today I've asked my friend Tracie Miles, author of Stressed-Less Living to share how stress once diminished her confidence and threw her into a pit of doubt causing her to question her ability to fulfill God's plans for her life. _______________ Although it was seven years ago, I remember it as
- [](https://reneeswope.com/3849/) - Thinking of you and thanking God for you today! Also thought it'd be a great time to announce winners from my last few giveaways! Unglued Giveaway Jessica D. you are the grand prize winner! You will receive 2 Unglued books plus 1 DVD curriculum and participants guide. And we have three more winners: Lisa M., Josie and Deidra
- [Chocolate-covered Comedy & Lasting Soul Confidence!](https://reneeswope.com/chocolate-covered-comedy-lasting-soul-confidence/) - I'm so excited to be heading to the Soul Confidence Conference in Raleigh, NC this weekend - and oh how I would LOVE to meet some of you there! Last month I posted about the event here and heard from several of you who wanted to go! And, I am hoping you have tickets! If not, there's
- [I'm Learning to Let.It.Go.](https://reneeswope.com/im-learning-to-let-it-go/) - I don't know about you, but I love to do things my way! I love to know what to expect and have life fall into place and meet my expectations. I love feeling like things and circumstances are in control - or that I am. And honestly, in some circumstances I need to be in
- [When You Need A New Script](https://reneeswope.com/when-your-reactions-need-to-be-re-written/) - If there's one thing that throws me into a ditch of self-doubt and discouragement, it's when I act ugly with the ones I love. Today, I've asked my amazing friend Lysa, who is also president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, to share how "losing it" with her loved ones effects her. It's something she talks about
- [Will you help us tie the knot?](https://reneeswope.com/will-you-help-us-tie-the-knot/) - It's late and I should be getting ready for a gathering we're going to tonight. But I can't get this off my mind. Feeling like I'm supposed to share with you one of the most important things I do, other than love my family and Jesus. I serve full-time in a ministry that has changed
- [How Do We Pray for the Families of Newtown, CT?](https://reneeswope.com/how-do-we-pray-for-the-families-of-newtown-ct/) - From Proverbs 31 Ministries, by Lysa TerKeurst "Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off." Proverbs 24:14 There are things mommies aren't ever supposed to find. They aren't supposed to find themselves in a firehouse frantically looking for their
- [A Christmas CD to Soothe Your Soul](https://reneeswope.com/christmas-music-to-soothe-your-soul/) - I don't know about you, but my soul needs a little soothing this week before Christmas. With some shopping left to do and kids getting out of school, my heart longs to be ushered into a place of God's peace. And today, I want to share with you one of my secrets to getting there.
- [Chosen](https://reneeswope.com/chosen/) - “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) Christmas was only days away and we still didn’t have a tree. Living on a college-student’s
- [Lord, I Need Your Help](https://reneeswope.com/lord-i-need-your-help/) - In case you missed my P31 devotion yesterday, I wanted to share it with you here. When I woke up Wednesday morning, these were my exact words - Lord, I need your help. Life is a little overwhelming at the Swope house these days. Although my marriage is great now, my need to cry out to
- [Talking Trash VS. Talking Truth](https://reneeswope.com/talking-trash-vs-talking-truth/) - Satan loves when we feel inadequate and insecure. He's good at getting us to believe we're not good enough and don't have what it takes to be used by God. But we don't have to let him trash us the way he does - and we definitely don't need to keep agreeing with his lies
- [How to Grow a Girl with Confidence](https://reneeswope.com/how-to-grow-a-girl-with-confidence/) - Photo Source If only someone could have peeked into my heart. If only someone could have known what I needed and planted seeds of His unconditional love and truth in my heart as a girl … From the heart of my friend and amazing author/ministry teammate, Lynn Cowell: All summer she’s been so free; so
- [A Little Blogging Break](https://reneeswope.com/vacation-a-little-blogging-break/) - I can't believe it's already August 10th, can you? With time flying and kids going back to school so soon I've decided to take a little time off from blogging and most things internet to unplug and enjoy the last few weeks of summer with my family. We might make a trip to the beach
- [When Doubt Tries to Bully Us](https://reneeswope.com/when-doubt-tries-to-bully-us/) - "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31 (NIV) Have you ever felt beat up by discouragement? Has your mind been bullied by thoughts of doubt such as: I can't do it all! I am not cut out to be a
- [](https://reneeswope.com/3426/) - I feel like I fell off the planet, but I didn't. And although I've been quiet, I have NOT forgotten about you! It's just that it's She Speaks week... the biggest, busiest, spirit-filled week of the year for us at Proverbs 31 Ministries! {And we love it!} It's a really special time when all of our
- [How to Beat the Bully of Doubt](https://reneeswope.com/3330/) - Satan is a bully who tries to make us feel small, inadequate, less than and insecure. But we don't have to believe him anymore. Often times He'll use something to trigger our self-doubts and then he'll pounce on us with lies. Today can be the day you decide YOU ARE are more than a conqueror through
- [The Woman I Want to Be](https://reneeswope.com/the-woman-i-want-to-be/) - A guest post from Heather Bleier: I grew up in the security of knowing my parents loved me and loved each other dearly. I also knew Jesus as my Lord, Savior, and confidant and that He had a plan for my life. I was excited to find out what He had in store for me. With
- [Chapter 11 - It's Your Turn](https://reneeswope.com/chapter-11-its-your-turn/) - "Jesus did not die on the cross just to get us out of hell and into heaven. He died on the cross to get Himself out of heaven and into us. It's what we were we made for. It's why we long for glory." "The truth is, we were created to reveal glory - just not
- [The Sweetest Sound I Know](https://reneeswope.com/the-sweetest-sound/) - Little girls giggles and high pitched squeals. These were the sounds our days were made of … Oh how I wanted her voice to be the soundtrack of my life, but it wasn't happening. Why isn't she talking? Is this normal? I have two teenagers and can't remember what is normal. Is it because she's our
- [Lord, I Want to Know You](https://reneeswope.com/lord-i-want-to-know-you/) - I have a special video message - just for you - from Chapter 10 of A Confident Heart. In it I share about the power of knowing God by His Names and learning to living in the security of who HE is! Praying it will really encourage and inspire you today! Message Notes Download video
- [Amazing Grace](https://reneeswope.com/g-r-a-c-e-gods-riches-at-christs-expense/) - Art Source "I used to feel so far from God, like I had to work my way back to Him after periods of inconsistency in my time with Him, seasons of unbelief or self-sufficiency, or other sins. I was also convinced God had lost His patience with me.Then I’d try harder and eventually fail
- [{Week 9} Is Worry Making You Weary?](https://reneeswope.com/is-worry-making-you-weary/) - I have a P31 devotion today and want to say hello and "welcome" if you found your way here through it! I'm so glad you stopped by! I wish we could sit in a coffee shop and chat today. I'd love to talk with you about things that are weighing you down or worries that are
- [Week 9 {Rest Secure in Knowing You're His BeLoved}](https://reneeswope.com/week-9-beloved-2/) - Photo Credit Beloved : greatly loved; dear to the heart. When God led me to this word and verse for week 9, it dawned on me that there is a reason God calls us His be-loved not his do-loved. It reminds me that I don't have to "do" anything to be loved -- by Him.
- [Practicing Acceptance](https://reneeswope.com/practicing-acceptance/) - This week in Chapter 8 of A Confident Heart, we've been talking about the comparison trap and learning discovering that something special we each have to offer! One thing that is absolutely essential is acceptance. God wants us to accept who we are as well as the gifts, personalities, idiosyncrasies and life experiences we've been
- [You're One of a Kind](https://reneeswope.com/youre-one-of-a-kind/) - I know you sometimes feel ordinary but you're not. You are one of a kind ~ a unique and beautiful blend of all God wants you to be. You may feel invisible … like you're just one of millions of others. But there's no comparison. God sees you friend. And when God sees you, He sees
- [{Week 8} You are God's Masterpiece](https://reneeswope.com/week-8-you-are-gods-masterpiece/) - "When God looks at you, He sees someone He loves. In Isaiah 43:4, God says, “You are precious and honored in my sight . . . and I love you.” When God looks at you, He also sees someone He knows. David said in Psalm 139:1, “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me.”
- [How Can God Use Me?](https://reneeswope.com/how-can-god-use-me-2/) - I'm so thankful for the gift of my friend Kimberly who is with us today to openly share her struggles with condemnation and how it has made her see herself so differently than God does. Please take time to watch this less than 2 minute really powerful video message her church created, and then read what
- [How To Overcome the Bully of Doubt](https://reneeswope.com/when-doubt-feels-like-a-bully/) - Satan is a bully who tries to make us feel small, inadequate, less than and insecure. You don't have to believe him anymore. This week, in chapter 7, we're identifying and learning how to defeat our second most common doubt… "I'm such a failure." It's the wicked step-sister of "I'm not good enough." My prayer, hope
- [{Week 7} You are...More Than a Conqueror](https://reneeswope.com/week-7-you-are-more-than-a-conqueror/) - Our word for the week: CONQUEROR Be sure to print it and post it everywhere! You can download in a PDF or in MSWord. God's WORD for US this week: “No, in all these things you are more than [a] conqueror through Him who loved you." Romans 8:37 Connecting in Community: As you read Chapter 7, let's talk about sentences and/or verses we
- [Chosen {that's what you are}](https://reneeswope.com/chosen-thats-what-you-are/) - Chosen...I love that word. I don't know a heart that doesn't long to be chosen. Yet the disappointments of life and the deep pain of broken relationships can cause us to forget that we are - chosen, loved, and sought after. “You are a chosen [woman], a royal priesthood, a holy [daughter], a [woman] belonging
- [How to Measure Up {& a Giveaway}](https://reneeswope.com/how-to-measure-up-a-giveaway/) - {WELCOME Encouragement for Today Readers & Online Study Friends!!} In my P31 Encouragement for Today devotion, I posed the question… Do you ever feel like you don't measure up? And now I want us to dig a little deeper. Have you ever stopped to ask, “Who is saying these things? Who is causing me
- [(Week 6) Word of the Week & "Roll-call"](https://reneeswope.com/week-6-word-of-the-week-roll-call/) - Our word for the week: HIS Download in a PDF file or in a MSWord file. Be sure to print it and post it everywhere so you can remember YOU ARE a HIS - He has redeemed you and called you by name. You belong to HIM! God's WORD for us this week: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called
- [Living in the Light](https://reneeswope.com/living-in-the-light/) - Fearful. Betrayed. Abandoned. Unloved. Unworthy. Unwanted. These are a few words that defined Donna and cast shadows over her. Here's Donna's story... *** Fearful. Betrayed. Abandoned. Unloved. Unworthy. Unwanted. These were shadows from a past that would haunt me for years. A past that would hold me hostage and keep me from fully living in the
- [{Week 5} Turning Toward the Light](https://reneeswope.com/week-5-turning-toward-the-light/) - Our word for the week: LIGHT (You can download it in a PDF or download in MSWord). Please print it and post it everywhere as you allow His word to light your path this week. His WORD for us this week: “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk
- [Running With Courage - Chasing God's Plans](https://reneeswope.com/choosing-hope-running-with-courage-towards-gods-plans/) - Today I want you to meet my sweet, funny, amazing cyber-friend, Rachel Wojnarowski. Her story is one of God's redeeming grace and the choice she's made to chase after His plans and hold onto His hope -- with all that she has in her. I grew up in a wonderful Christian home with fabulous Christian
- [Courage to Look Back - Hope to Move Forward](https://reneeswope.com/courage-to-hope-again/) - Today is another day where I can't just write what I want to say - I need to "show and tell" you. In today's short video message below I share how God walked me through a process of looking back with courage - so I could move forward with hope. He helped me identify things I
- [Don't throw away…your book?](https://reneeswope.com/dont-throw-awayyour-book/) - As we begin chapter 4, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you via video. In it I talk about what you might experience while reading this chapter and what I would have done differently if I could write this chapter again. PLEASE take time to listen to this short message from my heart
- [{week 4} Hope](https://reneeswope.com/week-4-hope-2/) - Artwork Source "In the security of our relationship with Christ, God wants us to ask questions and look for answers that usher us into the depths of His redeeming love. He wants to give us the courage to live in the promise that He offers hope for our future despite the pain of our past."
- [Confessions of An Empty Heart](https://reneeswope.com/confessions-of-an-empty-heart/) - Today I want you to meet my brave and beautiful friend Lelia Chealey who shares her story of emptiness and how God redeemed her brokenness. Italicized sentences are from Chapter 3 of A Confident Heart Until our hearts find complete security and significance in God's unconditional love, we will constantly turn to other lovers and never be satisfied.
- [Letting God Fill Our Empty Places](https://reneeswope.com/letting-god-fill-our-empty-places/) - Some days my written words come easily. Other days I need to show and tell you what's on my heart. Today is one of those days. Please {like pretty please even if you don't normally watch video posts} click the arrow below to "hear" today's message from my heart to yours. I don't want another day to go
- [(Week 3) Satisfied](https://reneeswope.com/week-3-satisfied/) - This graphic is part of our verse for the week. *** Our Verse for the Week: “Satisfy [me] in the morning with your unfailing love, that [I] may sing for joy and be glad all [my] days...for I have put my trust in you.” Psalm 90:14, 143:8b, NIV Our Word for the Week: SATISFIED (Download
- [I'm fine…really.](https://reneeswope.com/im-finereally/) - How hard is it for you to let people know how you’re doing? I mean how you're really doing. From reading your thoughts in the comments on Monday's post, I think we can all realize it's hard for most of us to keep our guard up and shy away from lettings others in - especially
- [{week 2} To Be Known Is to Be Loved](https://reneeswope.com/week-2-to-be-known-is-to-be-loved/) - Photo Source _______________________ From Chapter 2, A Confident Heart "Jesus knew Sam's (the Samaritan woman's) story and He knows yours. The Greek word for “know” is yada. It means a deep emotional experience; a bonding between two people when one truly feels the emotions of the other. Jesus knows your pain, fears, doubts, and disappointments.
- [The Power of Praying God's Promises](https://reneeswope.com/the-power-of-praying-gods-promises/) - Praying God's promises -- it's changed me. That's why I included a prayer, at the end of each chapter, weaving together Scriptures from that chapter and others I sensed God wanted us to engrave on our hearts. "Praying God’s Word has been one of the most life-changing ways I’ve learned to live in the security
- [Don't Throw Away Your Confidence](https://reneeswope.com/dont-throw-away-your-confidence-2/) - So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.Hebrews 10:35-36 Today we have a short video message based on our key verse. I recorded this message to encourage and equip you
- [{week 1} A Confident Heart Online Study (Spring 2012)](https://reneeswope.com/week-1-a-confident-heart-online-study-spring-2012/) - Hi friends! I am so excited to start this "Confident Heart" journey with you! We have just about 3500, from around the US and the world signed up! I've been closing my eyes and picturing us gathering together in small groups (cause I'm a small group kinda girl). Anyhow, it's so amazing to be here
- [A Note to Email Subscribers {& online study sign-ups}](https://reneeswope.com/a-note-to-my-wonderful-email-subscribers-online-study-sign-ups/) - Hi friends! If you are signed up to receive my Website/Blog Email updates, I'm truly honored to have you as one of my subscribers. I value your time and realize your inbox is probably really full. So, it means a lot that you would invite me into your already crowded space and busy days :0).
- [New Online Study {& my book is on SALE}](https://reneeswope.com/new-online-study-monday-and-my-book-is-on-sale/) - My book is now ON SALE for $9.99 ($5 off ) thru Proverbs 31 Ministries. And all profits from my P31 book sales go directly to P31 ministry and are multiplied in building God’s Kingdom! {Also, I’m signing the first 500 copies purchased during this special offer with a prayed over and personal scripture too!}
- [Radical Faith ~ Radical Confidence](https://reneeswope.com/radical-faith-radical-confidence/) - On April 28th, I'm speaking at the Radical Girlfriends Conference in Tallahassee, FL - and I would LOVE to meet you there! Tickets are only $15 for the event (or $23 with lunch included.) Women from the surrounding area/cities/states are making plans to attend! Getting together and making a road trip because they want to
- [We're On Spring Break](https://reneeswope.com/were-on-spring-break/) - Photo Credit We are on Spring Break this week so I've unplugged a little to rest, spend time with my family, play and re-organize our garage and closets. It's a glorious thing! But since we're on a "stay-cation" we are not completely unplugged because my boys love their social media connections too ---so o you
- [That's My King](https://reneeswope.com/thats-my-king/) - Happy Easter friends! We are on Spring Break so I've unplugged a little bit. But today we watched something I wanted to share with you. Our family has seen this powerful video message a few times. {Maybe you have too.} But it's a message I just can't get enough of. I thought you'd enjoy watching
- [Does it get any better than FREE?](https://reneeswope.com/it-doesnt-get-any-better-than-free-today-only/) - A Confident Heart Ebook is available for FREE!!! {But hurry - it's today only} My wonderful publisher has graciously given me the opportunity to give away FREE copies of A Confident Heart via Ebook as a celebration of you - and the life-change stories you have shared as you read A Confident Heart - as
- [In the Shadow of the Cross](https://reneeswope.com/in-the-shadow-of-the-cross/) - "If we want to live beyond the shadow of our doubts, we need to position our thoughts and our hearts to dwell in the shadow of the cross, each and every day." A Confident Heart, Chpt 11 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life
- [{week 11} The Hope of Glory](https://reneeswope.com/week-11-created-for-glory/) - "Jesus did not die on the cross just to get us out of hell and into heaven. He died on the cross to get Himself out of heaven and into us. It's what we were we made for. It's why we long for glory. The truth is, we were created to reveal glory - just not
- [Grace to Help Us in Our Time of Need](https://reneeswope.com/grace-to-help-us-in-our-time-of-need/) - "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16 In Chapter 10 we're learning a lot about grace. What has it meant to you to find out that following with God consistently isn't about perfection?
- [Lord, I Want to Know You {and a GiveAway!}](https://reneeswope.com/lord-i-want-to-know-you-and-a-giveaway/) - I've got so many fun things to share with you today!! First, I have a special video message - just for you - from Chapter 10 of A Confident Heart. In it I share about the power of knowing God by His Names and learning to living in the security of who HE is! Praying
- [{week 10} Trust](https://reneeswope.com/week-10-trust/) - Our Word for the week is TRUST Trust: reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety of a person or thing; confident expectation of something; hope. Download and print our word for the week in a PDF or in MSWord. His WORD for us this week: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not
- [God's Heart for You Giveaway Winners](https://reneeswope.com/gods-heart-for-you-giveaway-winners/) - Wow! Over 300 of you entered my “God’s Heart For You”giveaway sponsored by our friends over at DaySpring! They are graciously giving 5 sets to 5 of you!! And they've got a @25% off sale for the rest of us!! The 5 winners are....{I included the first part of your emails so you'll know
- [When Worry Makes You Weary](https://reneeswope.com/when-worry-makes-me-weary/) - A sweet little somebody crawled in bed with me the past two nights. She's been coughing and running a fever. Seems like someone gets better and another one gets sick or injured. If I'm not careful, worry will weazle it's way into my mind and I'll start worry about what might go wrong next. What
- [My Girl](https://reneeswope.com/me-my-girl/) - In August 2011, our daughter Aster was diagnosed with a severe speech disorder, and was recently confirmed as having Apraxia**. At the age of two and a half she could only say fifteen words. At the age of three she could barely say five, and those five were very hard to understand. We didn't know
- [You're Beautiful](https://reneeswope.com/youre-beautiful/) - I know you sometimes feel ordinary but you're not. You are one of a kind ~ a unique and beautiful blend of all God wants you to be. You are God's prized possession, a valued treasure of great worth. You may feel invisible...like you are just one of millions of others. But God sees you.
- [{Week 8} You are God's Masterpiece](https://reneeswope.com/you-are-gods-masterpiece/) - Our word for the week: MASTERPIECE Be sure to print it and post it everywhere! You can download in a PDF or in MSWord. According to Distionary.com, a masterpiece is: a person's greatest piece of work, as in art anything done with masterly skill a consummate example of skill or excellence of any kind God's
- [How Can God Use ME?](https://reneeswope.com/how-can-god-use-me/) - My sweet friend Kimberly has kindly given me permission to share a powerful video her church created based on something God showed her. In openly shares her struggles with condemnation and how they were making her see herself so differently than God does. When I watching this months ago, I knew I wanted to make
- [God's Thoughts Towards Us](https://reneeswope.com/listening-to-gods-thoughts-towards-us/) - Has someone ever said something to you that made you feel valued and loved? Affirmations that gave you a sense of meaning and purpose? In my Encouragement for Today devotion, Just the Right Words, I shared a story of how one woman's words changed the course of another. Sadly, many of us don't have people
- [{Week 7} More Than a Conqueror](https://reneeswope.com/more-than-a-conqueror/) - WEEK 8 Update: My week 8 email update included the wrong link which brought you back to this post. Sorry about that. Please click here to go to week 8's word of the week. *** Our word for the week: CONQUEROR Be sure to print it and post it everywhere! You can download in a PDF or in MSWord. God's WORD for
- [Your Heart Is Spoken For](https://reneeswope.com/your-heart-is-spoken-for/) - Chosen...I love that word. I don't know a heart that doesn't long to be chosen? Yet the disappointments of life and the deep pain of broken relationships can cause us to forget that we are - chosen, loved, and sought after. “You are a chosen [woman], a royal priesthood, a holy [daughter], a [woman] belonging
- [(Week 6) Chosen & Online Study "Roll-call"](https://reneeswope.com/week-6-chosen/) - Our word for the week: CHOSEN Download in a PDF or in MSWord. Be sure to print it and post it everywhere so you can remember YOU ARE a CHOSEN child of God!! God's WORD for us this week: “You are a chosen [woman], a royal priesthood, a holy [daughter], a [woman] belonging to God, that
- [Living Beyond the Shadow of Doubt (and A GiveAway!)](https://reneeswope.com/a-confident-heart-and-a-giveaway/) - In the shadow of doubt, insecurity paralyzes us with statements like: “I can’t do this.” “Things will never change.” “My life isn’t going to get better.” “I’ll never have the confidence I need.” Those are some depressing thoughts, aren’t they? But oh how quickly they weasel their way into our minds and disguise their
- [Don't Throw Away Your Confidence](https://reneeswope.com/dont-throw-away-your-confidence/) - In chapter 5, we talk about Gideon who, like us, doubted his strength and abilities. When God called him to defeat his enemy's immediately Gideon's insecurities started shouting excuses, listing all his inadequacies. Yet through his story we see God wasn’t limited by Gideon’s limitations, and He’s not limited by ours either. God could see
- [Living Loved (and a give-away!)](https://reneeswope.com/living-loved-2/) - Happy Valentines Day! I hope you know just how much... You are LOVED Welcome online study sisters and new friends hopping over from my Encouragement for Today devotion. I'm so glad you are here! In my devotion, Because You are His, I talk about the love of a mom watching over her children - and
- [(week 5) Light](https://reneeswope.com/week-5-light/) - Our word for the week: LIGHT (You can download it in a PDF or download in MSWord). Please print it and post it everywhere as you allow His word to light your path this week. His WORD for us this week: “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk
- [Finding Hope for Our Future](https://reneeswope.com/finding-hope-for-our-future/) - "We can trust God's plans as we realize that His story is being written into ours. His power is perfected in the broken places we consider to be our greatest weaknesses - our most vulnerable emotions we don't want anyone to know about. In those hiding places, God calls us out of captivity. When we're
- [(Week 4) Hope](https://reneeswope.com/week-4-hope/) - "When our questions make us doubt God's heart, our pain can lead to bitterness and bondage. Yet in the security of our relationship with Christ, God wants us to ask the hard questions and look for answers that usher us into the depths of His redeeming love. He wants us to live in the promise
- [Letting God Fill the Empty Places in Our Hearts](https://reneeswope.com/letting-god-fill-the-empty-places-in-our-hearts/) - In chapter 3, I share how "our hearts leak and will always end up empty when we find our worth in anything but who we are in Christ. Our value is not measured by what others think of us—but we surely live like it is, don’t we? It’s almost as though we wake up every
- [(Week 3) Satisfied](https://reneeswope.com/week-3-word-for-the-week-memorizing-scripture/) - My friend Heather is a Word girl!! When she was in college she performed in over 14 plays and memorized hundreds of lines, so I've asked her to share some tips to help us hide God’s Word in our hearts this week. Here are a few she shared. I'll post more each week. Ideas for Memorizing Scripture
- [A Silly Saturday Video Message](https://reneeswope.com/a-silly-saturday-video-message/) - Leah and I took you to Athens, GA with us! Here we are driving back to Charlotte tonight after our Confident Heart conference today. (I apologize for video whiplash when I try to show you the blog comments I'm reading- but after that I stay steady.) If you're reading this via email, just click on
- [Ending the “I’m Fine” Masquerade](https://reneeswope.com/ending-the-im-fine-masquerade/) - This week, I think we've all come to realize we're not the only ones who find it hard to let people know how we’re really doing. As I shared this week in Chapter 2, sometimes I think we tell people we’re fine even when we’re not, because we want to be. Or we hope that
- [(Week 2) To Be Known Is to Be Loved](https://reneeswope.com/to-be-known-is-to-be-loved/) - If you're reading via email, please click title above ("Known") so you can read it to my website. This post includes a powerful video and a FREE download that won't come through via email. _____________________________________ From Chapter 2, A Confident Heart "Jesus knew Sam's (the Samaritan woman's) story and He knows yours. The Greek word
- [Praying God's Promises](https://reneeswope.com/day-6-praying-gods-promises/) - Praying God's promises -- it's changed me. That's why I included a prayer, at the end of each chapter, weaving together Scriptures from that chapter and others I sensed God wanted us to engrave on our hearts. "Praying God’s Word has been one of the most life-changing ways I’ve learned to live in the security
- [Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God](https://reneeswope.com/becoming-a-woman-who-listens-to-god/) - Welcome Confident Heart Online Study and Encouragement for Today friends!! If you're new here, welcome! On Sunday, I started an online study of my book, A Confident Heart and I'd love to have you join us! (Click here for more details). One of the first things I learned, when it came to overcoming self-doubts and
- [Blessed](https://reneeswope.com/blessed-2/) - Happy Monday! It's day 2 in the first week of our Online Study and I"m so glad you are here! Here's today's message: Please click the arrow below to watch it. I share how we can make sure our lives are BLESSED and not cursed as well as some share things God's laid on my
- [Let's get this party started!](https://reneeswope.com/2043/) - Tomorrow is my birthday, and guess what? God has given me the most amazing gift, but I didn’t even realize the unique timing of it all until today. You see, the day after my birthday, I get to launch my Confident Heart Online Bible and Book Study with YOU…and a few other women from around
- [Chapter 9 (Beloved)](https://reneeswope.com/chapter-9-beloved/) - Photo Credit Beloved : greatly loved; dear to the heart. When God led me to this word and verse today, it dawned on me that there is a reason God calls us His be-loved. It reminds me that I don't have to "do" anything to be loved -- by Him. I just need to know
- [Don't Forget to Unwrap {the} Gift](https://reneeswope.com/dont-forget-to-unwrap-the-gift/) - My home was full of people, my living room was full of gifts, and my stomach was full of food! So, why did I feel so EMPTY? One Christmas I found myself asking these questions. I hated feeling so depleted, so I opened my Bible and asked God to show me what was wrong. As
- [Christ-Centered Christmas GIVEAWAY {winner}](https://reneeswope.com/christ-centered-christmas-giveaway-winner/) - Congratulations Noemi, you are the winner of my Christ-Centered Christmas GIVEAWAY! It includes a copy of my NEW Confident Heart Devotional book, a P31 Women’s Devotional Bible, and Laura Story’s new CD – ”The God Of Every Story.”
- [The God of Every Story](https://reneeswope.com/5612/) - There's something about the end of the year and Christmas that stirs up stories in my heart. Stories that make me laugh. Stories that make me grateful. Stories that make me shake my head in disbelief. {i.e. head-on collisions with monkey bars} Today, in my Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today devotion, I told the story
- [Giveaway Winners + Girls Night Out PJ party {Tonight}](https://reneeswope.com/giveaway-winners-girls-night-out-pj-party-tonight/) - It's ALMOST sold out but for those of you who live in or near Matthews, Charlotte, Indian Trail, NC... I wanted to let you know there are a still a few #FREE SEATS left for New Life 91.9 Girl's Night Out Pajama Party and concert with Laura Story and a Christmas message from me tonight!
- [Be My God ... So I Can Just Be Me](https://reneeswope.com/be-my-god-so-i-can-just-be-me/) - It started with a cough. A few sneezes. Then a horrible headache. For days, I denied it was anything serious. Tried to convince myself I was not really sick. Pushing through the coughing, wheezing, sinus pain and aches, I resisted slowing down. Who else would do it all if I couldn't? There were deadlines and expectations
- [What if I really believed God?](https://reneeswope.com/what-if-i-really-believed-god/) - How would today be different if I really BELIEVED God? Sometimes my emotional ups and downs make we wonder if I really believe God’s promises. In my heart, I know I believe in Him, but do I really believe Him? If I actively BELIEVE God, then I’ll trust He’s working everything out for good today –
- [Join Me On a Conference Call with Natalie Grant](https://reneeswope.com/join-me-tonight-on-a-conference-call-with-natalie-grant/) - Her words were tender, courageous, raw and oh-so-real. As I listened to Natalie share her heart at a recent event we did together, I recognized the familiar breaking and mending - the common struggles we'd both faced through storms that became part of God's story in each of our lives. Describing the setting and scenes of
- [Confident Heart Devotional {Give Away} WINNERS](https://reneeswope.com/give-away-winners/) - Last week my publisher and I launched a series of GIVE AWAYS in celebration of my new Confident Heart Devotional book release! Over 1100 of you entered {wow}! And the first winners have been randomly chosen! The winners of 2 Copies of my NEW Confident Heart Devotional book plus my new Book and DVD bundle are: Rachel Whiley and Theresa Miller!
- [Confident, Strong & Free: It's closer than you think!](https://reneeswope.com/confident-strong-free-its-closer-than-you-think/) - We're celebrating the release of my NEW Confident Heart Devotional book! If you're ready to live the life of faith God's designed for you and become all He's created you to be, this book is for you! If you have read the book but need daily encouragement to refresh your heart and continue in your confident heart
- [{Free Resources with Purchase} A Confident Heart Devotional Book ](https://reneeswope.com/free-resources-with-purchase-confident-heart-devotional-book/) - I'm so excited about the FREE RESOURCES my publisher has created for YOU when you purchase my NEW A Confident Heart Devotional book! They FREE Downloads include: {20} beautifully designed "When I Say… God says…" cards, Confident Heart Prayer" journal printable pages, and gift cards signed by Renee to keep or include with the book
- [Twitter Party TUESDAY NIGHT @ 8pm EST](https://reneeswope.com/twitter-party-tuesday-night-8pm-est/) - Hey friends! This is a very last minute exciting announcement... but better late than never! Right? Proverbs 31 Ministries Online Bible Studies with Melissa Taylor is hosting a Confident Heart TWITTER Party TONIGHT! What’s a LIVE Twitter Party? I'm glad you asked! Here are a few FAQ’s about the party: Do I have to be on Twitter
- [Pull Away From Everything That Is Pulling On You](https://reneeswope.com/pull-away-from-all-thats-pulling-on-you/) - Our new Proverbs 31 Ministries devotional book: Encouragement for Today: Devotions For Everyday Living just released and I am so excited to be giving away 3 copies of it today! It includes several devotions by me and a bunch more from my dear friends and team mates at P31. Here's a little bit more about what is
- [Fall Online Study {plus $40 in FREE Confident Heart Resources}](https://reneeswope.com/fall-online-study-plus-40-in-free-confident-heart-resources/) - Confident, strong and free --- it's closer than you think! I'm so excited to let you know that A Confident Heart is the book that will be studied in the next Proverbs 31 Ministries online Bible study starting Oct 13th! Whether you have done a study of my book before or not - you don't want to
- [Triggers & Truth](https://reneeswope.com/triggers-and-truth/) - Welcome! If you've linked over from my Encouragement for Today devotion through Proverbs 31 Ministries, I'm so glad you stopped by! I hope you'll enjoy today's video, enter today's drawing, and stay for a while. If you'd like to receive my blog posts via email you can sign up for FREE Email Updates in my sidebar.
- [It's A New Day](https://reneeswope.com/its-a-new-day/) - Today is a new day sweet friend - and I'm praying that with the new mercies He brings, You would know the truths of His Word and depths of God's love for you! And that as you head into a new week, you would remember... YOU ARE all that He sees in you and says
- [Condemning Thoughts](https://reneeswope.com/condemning-thoughts/) - A Guest Post by Melissa Taylor “He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44b (NIV) Do you ever question if you are good enough? Are
- [Join Me for Session 3 & A Give Away!](https://reneeswope.com/join-me-for-the-morning-show-giveaways/) - Session 3 of our Confident Heart Video series launches today! You can WATCH IT HERE. Then CLICK ON TODAY's COMMENTS and share your thoughts {or ask questions} you have about today's video. I'll be here off an on all day and would love to chat with you & pray for you! Everyone who joins the conversation will be entered
- [Waving Good-bye to Summer {& hello to a new series in September!}](https://reneeswope.com/waving-good-bye-to-summer-hello-to-a-new-series-in-september/) - I waved good-bye to summer last week. And our family calendar breathed a sign of relief that September was almost here. We stuffed August with everything that didn't fit into June and July. Wisdom teeth pulled. Driver's Ed classes and behind-the-wheel hours completed. Two visits and ten hours of DMV waiting room enjoyment endured. Driver's test
- [A Walk Through the Dark with Eva Piper](https://reneeswope.com/a-walk-through-the-dark-with-eva-piper/) - God promises to give us His strength in our times of weakness. "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 And when
- [Summer Sanity, Prayers & Goals](https://reneeswope.com/summer-prayers-goals/) - Hi friends! I've missed you tons. It's just about killed me to be connect with you each day like we were during our Spring online study! I don't know about you, but summer throws me for a loop when my kids get out of school and normal is nowhere to be found. And all this
- [And the winners are...](https://reneeswope.com/and-the-winners-are/) - The winners from my posts "On the Porch with Ann Voskamp" part 1 and part 2 are... A Confident Heart Susan G, Bronda and Caitlin G. One Thousand Gifts Judy We have your emails from your comments, so we'll send an email to you this week to get your mailing addresses. Thanks for joining in our conversation.
- [Seeing God's Gifts in Our Everyday Moments & Messes](https://reneeswope.com/framing-gods-gifts-on-the-porch-with-ann-voskamp-day-2/) - Fields rolled by and I wondered which farm was her's. I took photos just in case this was the one. It wasn't. But we were getting close to the gravel road that would lead us to our resting place. After speaking at a women's event in Ontario all weekend, I was traveling with my friend
- [When You Don't Know What It Is...](https://reneeswope.com/when-you-dont-know-what-it-is/) - I hated feeling so uneasy and uncertain. Lost within my own heart. If only I knew what was making my emotions so wobbly. If only I could name it. Then I could figure out what to do about it. One morning, Jesus whispered it's name in the quiet of my heart. It was doubt. It
- [Conquering Fear with Confident Faith](https://reneeswope.com/conquering-fear-with-confident-faith/) - "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will
- [Telling Ourselves the Truth](https://reneeswope.com/telling-ourselves-the-truth/) - Today I want you to meet my sweet and amazing friend Jennifer Rothschild. Jennifer is a wife, mom, national speaker, founder of WomensMinistry.net and author of several books, including "Self-talk, Soul-talk: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself" as well as "Me, Myself and Lies Bible Study." She is also speaking with me on the
- [The Woman I Want to Be](https://reneeswope.com/the-woman-i-want-to-be-2/) - Receive Email Updates Be sure to SIGN UP where it says "Receive Email Updates" {under my PreSummer Promo},so you don't miss a post, giveaway or special promotions coming soon for email subscribers only! A guest post from Heather Bleier: I grew up in the security of knowing my parents loved me and loved each other dearly. I
- [Chosen - that's what you are](https://reneeswope.com/chosen-thats-what-you-are-2/) - Welcome Encouragement for Today friends! If you hopped over from my P31 devotion "He Cares About You," Im so glad you're here. I pray today's post pours assurance into those places in your heart that just need to know you are not alone. You are deeply loved, pursued and cared for! Also, you can find
- [Lord, I Want to Know You](https://reneeswope.com/lord-i-want-to-know-you-2/) - I have a video message today based on Chapter 10 of my book, A Confident Heart. Praying it encourages your heart and leads you closer to HIS today! {If you are reading this via email click here to return to my blog to watch the video.} Message Notes Download video “Message Notes” in a notes in a PDF or
- [{Chapter 10} Amazed by Grace](https://reneeswope.com/chapter-10-amazing-grace/) - Art Source "I used to feel so far from God, like I had to work my way back to Him after periods of inconsistency in my time with Him, seasons of unbelief or self-sufficiency, or other sins. I was also convinced God had lost His patience with me.Then I’d try harder and eventually fail again.
- [When Problems Pile Up {and Threaten to Take You Down}](https://reneeswope.com/when-problems-pile-up-and-threaten-to-take-you-down/) - I wish we could sit in a coffee shop and chat today. I'd love to talk with you about things that may be weighing you down. They always seem to lighten when shared with a friend. I'd tell you about the year I let my problems pile up… and how all that pressure almost took me
- [Because GIVING Really IS Better than Receiving](https://reneeswope.com/when-we-give-away-what-weve-been-given/) - If the message of A Confident Heart has touched your life there has NEVER been a better time to SHARE IT with someone else! I wanted to bless YOU with a gift {worth more than the price of the book} when you give away what you're receiving as you learn to live in the security of God's love
- [{FREE Conference Call RECORDING}](https://reneeswope.com/lets-talk-tonight-free-conference-call-9pm-est/) - You’ve Already Got What It Takes {Confident Heart} Conference Call Recording Available Click HERE to LISTEN TO THE CALL *** IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS you'd like me to to answer after the call, please click "Share Your Thoughts" below and I'll do my best as time allows. :)
- [{Chapter 8} You're One of a Kind](https://reneeswope.com/youre-one-of-a-kind-2/) - I know you sometimes feel ordinary but you're not. You are one of a kind ~ a unique and beautiful blend of all God wants you to be. You may feel invisible … like you're just one of millions of others. But there's no comparison. God sees you friend. And when God sees you, He sees
- [{Chapter 8} You are God's Masterpiece](https://reneeswope.com/chapter-8-you-are-gods-masterpiece/) - Art Source: Brianna from wordplusdesign.com "When God looks at you, He sees someone He loves. In Isaiah 43:4, God says, “You are precious and honored in my sight . . . and I love you.” When God looks at you, He also sees someone He knows. David said in Psalm 139:1, “You have searched me, LORD,
- [When you say…. God says….](https://reneeswope.com/where-ever-you-are-today/) - When you say: I feel worthless. God says: You are precious and loved by Me. You are precious and honored in my sight, and… I love you. Isa. 43:4 ~From Chapter 12, A Confident Heart Have you taken a peek at Chapter 12? I have included a chart of 31 of our most common whispers
- [Yes, God Can and Wants to Use You!](https://reneeswope.com/how-can-god-use-me-3/) - Facebook Party winners announced in the post below this one. :) Today, my friend Kimberly is here to openly share her struggles with condemnation and how it has made her see herself so differently than God does. She's written something for us below, but first I want to share this powerful 2 minute video she filmed
- [Facebook Party Door Prize Winners](https://reneeswope.com/facebook-party-door-prize-winners/) - What an amazingly great time I had with all of you who could be part of my first every Facebook Party! There were almost 700 there and it was so much fun to get to know you and see you all talking and really connecting with each other too. I loved answering your questions which
- [{Chapter 5} Turning Toward the Light](https://reneeswope.com/chapter-5-turning-toward-the-light/) - We are going to read chapter 5 and 6 this week. We'll start with chapter 5 today, and Wednesday lets transition to chapter 6. Our word for Today: LIGHT (You can download it in a PDF or download in MSWord). Please print it and post it everywhere and you allow His promises to lead you out of
- [In Honor of You {& the Difference You Make}](https://reneeswope.com/in-honor-of-the-difference-you-make/) - The doorbell rang soon after I got home from dropping off a thank you note at my neighbor house. Surprised to see Janet standing on my front porch, I listened as she held up an envelope and explained: "Renee, this is the most amazing thank you note I have ever read; you have a writing gift
- [{Chapter 7} You are...More Than a Conqueror](https://reneeswope.com/chapter-7-you-are-more-than-a-conqueror/) - Join me Tuesday night April 30th at 8pm {EST} for a FREE Confident Heart CONFERENCE CALL! After the call, I'll be hosting a Facebook Party at 9pm EST! We'll chat about the call, chapter 6 & 7, do some Q&A, connect with each other and there will be drawing for fun prizes! Sign up for
- [Facebook Party & Other Plans for Tonight!](https://reneeswope.com/facebook-party-other-plans-for-tonight/) - Here is an UPDATE on my plans tonight: Facebook Party When: I'm hosting a Facebook Party TONIGHT at 9pm EST on my Confident Heart Facebook page. What: I'll be doing a little Q&A, we'll get to chat with each other and there will be door prizes! It's going to be fun, fun, fun!! BUT I don't want to
- [(Chapter 6) Don't Throw Away Your Confidence](https://reneeswope.com/chapter-6-word-and-verse/) - Our word for Chapter 6 is HIS Download and print a PDF file or in a MSWord file. Post it everywhere so you can remember YOU ARE a HIS - He has redeemed you and called you by name. You belong to HIM! God's promise for this week: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you
- [{Chapter 5} Living in the Light](https://reneeswope.com/week-4-living-in-the-light/) - Fearful. Betrayed. Abandoned. Unloved. Unworthy. Unwanted. These are a few words that defined Donna and cast shadows over her. Here's Donna's story... *** Fearful. Betrayed. Abandoned. Unloved. Unworthy. Unwanted. These were shadows from a past that would haunt me for years. A past that would hold me hostage and keep me from fully living in the
- [{Chapter 4} Running With Courage - Chasing God's Plans](https://reneeswope.com/running-with-courage-chasing-gods-plans/) - Today I want you to meet my sweet, funny, amazing friend, Rachel Wojnarowski. Her story is one of God's redeeming grace and the choice she's made to chase after His plans and hold onto His hope -- with all that she has in her. I grew up in a wonderful Christian home with fabulous Christian
- [{Chapter 4 Video} Courage to look back…Hope to move forward](https://reneeswope.com/courage-to-look-backhope-to-move-forward/) - Today I wanted to share my Chapter 4 video teaching message. In it, I share how God walked me through a process of looking back with courage - so I could move forward with hope. He helped me identify things I didn't even know were affecting me and gently led my heart on a journey
- [{week 3 - Chapter 4} Hope](https://reneeswope.com/week-3-hope/) - Artwork Source "In the security of our relationship with Christ, God wants us to ask questions and look for answers that usher us into the depths of His redeeming love. He wants to give us the courage to live in the promise that He offers hope for our future despite the pain of our past."
- [I'm fine…really.](https://reneeswope.com/im-finereally-2/) - How hard is it for you to let people know how you’re doing? I mean how you're really doing. I think most of us tend to keep our guard up and shy away from lettings others in. But, we long to be able to let our guards down and depend on other, especially when we're
- [Confessions of An Empty Heart](https://reneeswope.com/confessions-of-an-empty-heart-2/) - Today I want you to meet my brave and beautiful friend Lelia Chealey who shares her story of emptiness and how God redeemed her brokenness. Italicized sentences are from Chapter 3 of A Confident Heart Until our hearts find complete security and significance in God's unconditional love, we will constantly turn to other lovers and never be satisfied.
- [Letting God Fill Our Empty Places](https://reneeswope.com/letting-god-fill-our-empty-places-2/) - Oh how I am LOVING reading so much about each of you. Gosh I wish we could all meet!! What an amazing group of women of all ages and from all places God has gathered here in HIS name! Makes me just about burst with joy! And now, I'm so glad today is here. Some
- [{Week 2} Word of the Week, Roll Call & a Giveaway!](https://reneeswope.com/week-3-satisfied-2/) - This graphic is part of our verse for the week. *** Our Verse for the Week: “Satisfy [me] in the morning with your unfailing love, that [I] may sing for joy and be glad all [my] days...for I have put my trust in you.” Psalm 90:14, 143:8b, NIV Our Word for the Week: SATISFIED (Download
- [The Power of Praying God's Promises](https://reneeswope.com/the-power-of-praying-gods-promises-2/) - Praying God's promises -- it's changed me. That's why I included a prayer at the end of each chapter, weaving together Scriptures from that chapter and others I sensed God wanted us to engrave on our hearts. "Praying God’s Word has been one of the most life-changing ways I’ve learned to live in the security
- [{Week 1} To Be Known Is to Be Loved - chapter 2](https://reneeswope.com/week-2-to-be-known-is-to-be-loved-2/) - Photo Source _______________________ We're going to read chapter 1 and 2 this week, so today I wanted to lead those of you who are ready to go with me to the next chapter. From Chapter 2, A Confident Heart "Jesus knew Sam's (the Samaritan woman's) story and He knows yours. The Greek word for “know” is
- [A Note to Email Subscribers {& online study friends}](https://reneeswope.com/a-note-to-email-subscribers-online-study-friends/) - Hi friends! If you are signed up to receive my website and blog Email Updates, I'm truly honored to have you as one of my subscribers. I value your time and realize your inbox is probably really full. So, it means a lot that you would invite me into your already crowded space and busy
- [That's Our King](https://reneeswope.com/thats-our-king/) - Happy Easter weekend! I wanted to share a video with you that our family watches every Easter. I thought you'd enjoy watching it too as we prepare to celebrate and worship our risen King!! If you've never seen it, you'll be so glad you did today! That's My King! from Albert Martin on Vimeo. Resurrection Blessings,
- [Does Your Heart Need A Confidence Boost?](https://reneeswope.com/does-your-heart-need-a-confidence-boost/) - While I was writing A Confident Heart two years ago, God gave me the deepest desire to not only write but to create a safe place for community, heart-sharing and encouragement each women who wants to take that brave step toward becoming all God created her to be! A gathering place filled with hearts being set
- [When God Looks at You](https://reneeswope.com/when-god-looks-at-you/) - When God looks at you, He doesn't measure the size of your hips or the size of your house, He measures the size of His love for you - and it is immeasurable!! I pray that you…grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the Love of Christ {for you}. Eph 3:17 &
- [When You Need Help Unpacking](https://reneeswope.com/when-you-need-help-unpacking/) - Welcome Encouragement for Today friends. If you found your way to my cyber-home through my P31 devotion, I'm so glad you stopped by! I pray you are sensing God's pursuit of you today even as you stop by my blog. No matter where you are or what you are going through HE is there with
- [The Unburdened Heart: Finding Freedom in Forgiveness](https://reneeswope.com/an-unburdened-heart-finding-freedom-in-forgiveness/) - My friend Suzie just released her book, The Unburdened Heart, and I'm so excited about the power and potential of her life-changing message. I had the honor of writing the foreword for her book, and I'd love to share my heart with you about it - today: I don’t know exactly when it started. I
- [Created for Connection {and a Cruise!}](https://reneeswope.com/created-for-connection-and-a-cruise/) - I checked my email as soon as I woke up. Then I made breakfast and checked it again. Had my devotional time and checked it again. Ran some errands and checked it on my phone. When I got home, I checked it once more. I sensed the Holy Spirit nudging me to pause and ask
- [Prayers to Pamper Your Soul](https://reneeswope.com/prayers-that-pamper-your-soul/) - My sweet friend Julie Gillies is here to share with us the story behind her new and beautiful devotional book "Prayers for a Woman's Soul." It's resting on my bedside table and God's using Julie to remind me how important it is to pamper my soul with prayers. Julie and our wonderful friends at Harvest House
- [ A Little Love Goes a Long Way!](https://reneeswope.com/a-little-love-goes-a-long-way/) - Welcome friends! If you are found your way here through my Encouragement for Today devotion, I'm so glad you stopped by. I've got two things for you today. First, the short and fun post below along with a BOOK give-away. Also I've got a link that will take you to the rest of the story of what God did that day I
- [When Setting Boundaries Sets Me Free](https://reneeswope.com/setting-boundaries-sets-me-free/) - Art Source {I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.} Psalm 119:32 I never thought boundaries could actually give me freedom. But I'm learning they do. I've recently needed to set some boundaries on my time and my commitments. Not because I wanted to. But because my husband
- [Giveaway Winners](https://reneeswope.com/giveaway-winners/) - I'm so excited I get to meet some of you in Sioux City, IA at the COMPEL Women’s Event this Friday, January 18th! My husband and sweet daughter Aster will be there, too! Here are the winners of the COMPEL tickets and a signed copy of my book, A Confident Heart: Lisa K. - Submitted on 1-9-13 at 9:45am Brenda
- [Event Ticket Giveaway!](https://reneeswope.com/event-ticket-giveaway/) - I'm heading to Sioux City, IA to speak at the COMPEL Women's Event next Friday, January 18th- and if you are anywhere near there I would LOVE for you to be there!! Here's a short message from me sharing WHY you should be there! {if you are reading this via email, click here to watch the video}
- [Sweet Surrender, Sweet Relief](https://reneeswope.com/sweet-surrender-sweet-relief/) - Yesterday my heart was longing to talk with Jesus about the many thoughts and emotions that were tumbling through my mind, creating a few knots in my heart. I felt like I needed to write it all out so I asked mom to watch Aster, and I went to a friends house. She works so
- [Jesus loves me this I know](https://reneeswope.com/jesus-loves-me-this-i-know/) - Thanks so much for praying for my dad, my mom and for my biopsy Monday. Last week I started to feel like I was making all this stuff up, but I promise it's all true. Many have asked about my dad so I thought I'd explain what happened. Last Monday night my younger brother, Brad,
- [Aster's First Christmas](https://reneeswope.com/asters-first-christmas/) - We had a wonderful Christmas! So peaceful. So full of laughter and great memories. And tonight as I get ready to go to bed and wake up early for my biopsy, I am so thankful for time together at home just resting and enjoying my precious family! I thought it would be fun to share
- [Merry Christmas from our family to yours!](https://reneeswope.com/merry-christmas-from-our-family-to/) - As we celebrate the birth of our sweet Savior, this Christmas our family is reminded more than ever of the gift of "Immanuel"- our God with us. We have needed Him to be with us more than ever. And He has kept His promise.It's been an amazing year. Yet some times it feels like the
- [A Compassionate Christmas](https://reneeswope.com/compassionate-christmas/) - I can't believe Christmas is only two weeks away. I am so not ready. My mind hasn't had much time to think about the the things of Christmas...holiday parties, gift-giving and planning for Christmas day. Our tree isn't up. Our cards aren't mailed. And I haven't done any Christmas shopping. Thankfully, I did get our
- [She Smiles at the Future](https://reneeswope.com/she-smiles-at-future/) - I'm trying hard to be brave this week and smile at the possibility of what each day may bring, although the past several days have not brought what I wanted. I have to admit, having a baby and having a mom who needs me so much has made me wonder about God's timing of all
- [When Life is Like a Tilt-A-Whirl](https://reneeswope.com/tilt-whirl/) - Do you ever feel like you just got off an amusement park ride that was spinning too fast? That's kinda how I'm feeling, a little wobbly, as I try to regain my balance this week. As many of you know, my mom ended up in the hospital for multiple blood clots in both of her
- [Please pray for my mom](https://reneeswope.com/please-pray-for-my-mom/) - My mom called this morning at 6:45am to tell us she was having a hard time breathing and needed to go to the Emergency Room. JJ, being the rescue hero that he is, jumped in his truck and went to get her. When they got to the ER the tests showed that her EKG was
- [Worthy](https://reneeswope.com/worthy/) - I wanted to share with you a link to my friend Melissa's devotion she wrote today at P31. It is powerful and raw, beautiful and transparent. Melissa shares her story of feeling stained and ruined by sexual abuse as a child but finding redemption and worth in Christ. She is also giving away a copy
- [](https://reneeswope.com/hi-friends-ive-been-traveling-today-and/) - Hi friends! I've been traveling today and just got to Reno with Leah! I'm speaking at a Holiday event tonight (Friday) and it starts at 7pm which is 10pm my time. Will you say a little prayer for me that my words are anointed, my thoughts are clear and that my mind and spirit are
- [Meeting Aster's Birth Mother](https://reneeswope.com/meeting-asters-birth-mother/) - It was rainy and cold here Tuesday. Aster discovered the raindrops and knelt beside our back door to watch them trickle down the window and puddle on our porch. It was so, so sweet to watch her as she watched them for the first time. There was a chill in the air, so I turned
- [The Power of Encouragement](https://reneeswope.com/power-of-encouragement/) - A special "welcome" to those of you who found your way here through my Encouragement for Today devotion. I hope Steven's story touched your heart. I know if it weren't for the power of encouragement from God's Words to me and His love expressed through people, I wouldn't be who I am today. I also
- [Two Boys and a Baby](https://reneeswope.com/two-boys-and-baby/) - I am often asked how our boys are adjusting to us having Aster in our family. And I always say, "They are crazy about her! And she adores them, too." It is one of the sweetest blessings to see them enjoying her so much! Here are a few changes I've noticed and loved: Joshua and
- [A blog and a baby -  can I have both?](https://reneeswope.com/blog-and-baby-can-i-have-both/) - I've struggled almost daily with not being able to blog much since we got home from Ethiopia with Aster. Not because I don't love every minute with my new little girl. I'm seriously more crazy about her than I ever thought I could be this quickly! And not because I feel pressure to blog. It's
- [Oh MY GOODNESS!!!!](https://reneeswope.com/oh-my-goodness/) - We broke 1000!!! As of noon today, we have 1,003 surveys!!! That's simply incredible to me. You can win 'Beyond the Shadow of Doubt' DVD if you or a friend complete the survey for the first time this week. Just please let me know in the comments ( click on "comments' and type in the
- [Friendships are the Flowers In Life's Garden](https://reneeswope.com/friendships-are-flowers-in-lifes-garden/) - I remember reading somewhere that we should plant the garden of our lives with the beautiful flowers of friendship. This bouquet reminds me of the gift of friendship and how important it has been during the past several months. One of the things I've loved about the past two weeks since we brought Aster home
- [Welcome Home Aster!](https://reneeswope.com/welcome-home-aster/) - My wonderful girlfriends Sharon, Bev, Alli, Erin and Erika (all from my Bible study group at church) hosted a big homecoming/baby shower for Aster at our house this past Saturday. We were lavished with love and gifts, but the best gift of all was having so many friends stop by to meet Aster and celebrate
- [Coming Soon..](https://reneeswope.com/meeting-aster_20/) - Hi bloggy friends! I miss you! I have so much to tell you about our first week at home with Aster. I posted some updates on Twitter and shared some photos on Facebook last week. Hopefully you (my bloggy friends) have seen some of those in my new sidebar Twitter scroll gadget. That seems to
- [Our Incredible Journey Home!](https://reneeswope.com/our-incredible-journey-home/) - Thank you so much for praying for our family as we traveled to bring our adopted baby girl home from Ethiopia! It was a very long trip and we are completely exhausted, but we're doing really well! It honestly could not have gone any better. Aster was an amazing little traveler! The only bump along
- [Heading Home](https://reneeswope.com/heading-home/) - This is the view outside our hotel room. I've looked at that tall unfinished cement building this week and wondered why it was never completed. I wonder also about those who live in the homes below and their unfinished dreams. It breaks my heart as we get ready to leave, knowing there are so many
- [Roll Back the Cameras - Monday thru Wednesday](https://reneeswope.com/roll-back-cameras-monday-thru-wednesday/) - I was so hoping to post photos and share the happenings of each day in Ethiopia as they happened. But much to my dismay, that didn't happen. I am not exactly sure what happened but we think it was severe altitude sickness and a stomach bug. We've been really, really sick for the past two
- [Meeting Aster](https://reneeswope.com/meeting-aster/) - My baby girl and me! Our meeting with Aster this morning got bumped to 3pm this afternoon. It was a day of anticipation and also much needed rest. We actually went back to bed after breakfast and slept until 2pm. It was just what we needed! It's what Aster needed too. When we got to
- [We Made It to Ethiopia!!](https://reneeswope.com/we-made-it-to-ethiopia/) - We are here! A little exhausted but we made it. I can't believe I'm actually typing these words. We are in Ethiopia! We are in Africa!! It was an amazing day of smooth travels. Only God and prayer could have paved the way for such an uneventful international trip that took almost 24 hours. The
- [We're On Our Way!!!](https://reneeswope.com/were-on-our-way/) - We are at the Charlotte airport getting ready to board our flight to Dulles in Washington, DC. Then we will get on another flight to Frankfurt, Germany. That flight is 7.5 hours. We'll be there for 2-3 hours and then get on another 7.5 hour flight to Addis in Ethiopia!! Our whole itinerary is listed
- [Praying, Believing and Trusting](https://reneeswope.com/praying-believing-and-trusting/) - Thursday afternoon update: Andrew is fever-free!!! We are so thankful to Jesus for His healing and to you all for your prayers!! His temp was 98.8 at the Dr's office. Everything looked and sounded good, so they cleared him for take-off tomorrow. It was not strep so we're hoping to get Tamiflu for all of
- [My Heart is in Ethiopia and So is My Little Girl](https://reneeswope.com/my-heart-is-in-ethiopia-and-so-is-my/) - My heart has only one BIG thing to focus on this week - getting ready for Ethiopia and our little girl who waits for us there! We are just a few days away from our trip to Africa to meet Aster!! If you are new to my blog, you can click here, here and here
- [He has done great things and I am filled with joy!](https://reneeswope.com/he-has-done-great-things-and-i-am/) - The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3 THANK YOU FOR your prayers for me and the D6 Conference!! It was incredible and Jesus' name was lifted high! Over 1500 pastors, ministry leaders and parents were challenged, encouraged and equipped to strengthen the family and help other
- [The Not-So Glamorous but Oh-So Glorious Life](https://reneeswope.com/not-so-glamorous-but-oh-so-glorious/) - Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had His eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living...Ephesians 1:12 (The Message) I love that Jesus thought about us way before we even knew about Him. He had an eye on me and a purpose in the making when
- [Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now](https://reneeswope.com/give-your-entire-attention-to-what-god/) - "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. " (Matthew 6:34, The Message) My friend Melissa sent this verse to me a few weeks
- [What color are your eyes today?](https://reneeswope.com/what-color-are-your-eyes-today/) - Recently a friend gave me a compliment about my eyes being green and how they matched the shirt I was wearing. The funny thing is, my eyes aren't always green. My eyes are actually hazel, so they change colors depending on what I'm wearing. If I wear brown my eyes look brown, but if I
- [Alternate Routes and Unexpected Blessings](https://reneeswope.com/alternate-routes-and-unexpected/) - Life took an alternate route today and my kids ended up not having school. Their little Christian school had to evacuate all the kids and staff yesterday when the A/C fan motor burned out and filled the building with smoke and fumes. Thankfully it happened at the end of the day and God protected them
- [Making a Difference](https://reneeswope.com/last-day-to-save-for-d6-conference/) - I'm sorry I have been missing from my blog for several days. I wanted so much to be able share here what I was going through in saying good-bye to Kim. But each day I just found myself collapsing in bed or on the couch when I got home. I felt pulled and needed in
- [Without Words](https://reneeswope.com/i-am-without-words-today/) - I am without words today. My friend Kim took the hand of Jesus and walked into eternity yesterday afternoon. It was the saddest day of my life so far. Yet, I am forever thankful that God allowed me to be part of her life and her family. Please pray for Mike and the kids, Jessica
- [When Life Feels Like A Seesaw](https://reneeswope.com/when-life-feels-like-seesaw/) - This week has been filled with many ups and downs, kinda like a seesaw. Up went my heart when I saw Kim on Monday and she looked so much better than I expected. Down went my heart when her mom called to say her lungs are filling with fluid. Up went my heart when we
- [Surrender](https://reneeswope.com/surrender/) - This morning I woke up with a deep sense that my heart needed to do some surrendering. I couldn't sleep. My mind was busy processing my day, my week, my month, my new season of life. Things to think about. Decisions to make. Changes to process. As much as I wanted to rest, I needed
- [A Planting of the Lord](https://reneeswope.com/as-i-pulled-weeds-away-from-beautiful/) - As I pulled the weeds away from the beautiful rose bush’s base, I noticed the root ball had four sections. I wondered if I should leave them together or divide and place each section at different posts across the fence... I shared today in my P31 devotion that I re-planted each section of the rose
- [The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.](https://reneeswope.com/thank-you-so-much-for-your-prayers-and/) - My heart is racing with excitement about everything God is doing, and at the same time God is slowing me down; making sure I wait on Him. We got home from the beach late Saturday and there was a message on voice mail saying that our Adoption Agency will call this week with our travel
- [She is Ours!!!](https://reneeswope.com/she-is-ours/) - "For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!" Isaiah 64:4 ASTER is officially OUR LITTLE GIRL!! Yesterday we spent the whole day on the beach, enjoying the moment we were in and trusting God for all
- [Preparing for my Happily-Ever-Aster!](https://reneeswope.com/preparing-for-my-happily-ever-aster/) - There once was a baby on the other side of the world with a mommy who had to give up her little girl. As she knelt on her hard dirt floor each night and day, she noticed how her tears turned the dust into clay. Reminded that her child was in the Potter's loving hands,
- [The Aster-glow!](https://reneeswope.com/aster-glow/) - After basking in the afterglow of She Speaks, I am now living in the "Aster-glow" of our soon-to-be baby girl. The ride of our lives got very exciting, adventurous and a little crazy last week! Last Thursday we received an email from our adoption agency telling us that the courts in Ethiopia are closing August
- [How He Spoke at She Speaks](https://reneeswope.com/she-speaks-stories-and-blog-posts/) - One of the things I love most about the days following She Speaks is reading all of the stories and blog posts describing how God met each woman there and spoke to her heart. This year it's taken me several days to settle in at home and get to a point where I feel like
- [She Rests](https://reneeswope.com/she-rests/) - My brain is so very thankful today for the message God gave me to share at She Speaks Sunday. It was called "Come to Me" and the main point was that God wants to give us the gift of rest, yet we get so busy that we forget to receive that gift. (Matthew 11:28-29) Why
- [She Speaks - God's Girls and Plans in Motion](https://reneeswope.com/she-speaks-gods-girls-and-plans-in/) - Once again She Speaks is more than we could have asked for or imagined! I can see God's answer to every prayer and His activity in every detail and thought that went into planning the conference. What an incredible team we have at Proverbs 31 Ministries. God's girls and God's plans are in motion this
- [It's She Seeks & SHE SPEAKS Week!](https://reneeswope.com/its-she-seeks-she-speaks-week/) - It's our She Speaks Conference week! And I am living and breathing all things She Speaks. More than anything, I'm praying He speaks and I'll listen. Today is my final day to review and soak in the messages God's given me. I'll be speaking Friday morning, Friday night and Sunday morning. Prayers would be so
- [It's like a pretty picture](https://reneeswope.com/one-saturday-morning-my-son-andrew-woke/) - One Saturday morning my son Andrew woke up early to go for a walk with his grandma. My mom has a pond with a path around it near her home, and he loves to walk around it with her. It was still dark when they headed out but as they walked my mom noticed the
- [How do I find the Real Me?](https://reneeswope.com/how-do-i-find-real-me/) - Finding "The Real Me" started ten years ago, in 1999. It was a big turning point in my life. It didn't happen overnight but I can look back and see how it was God's shaping me into the woman He created me to be, the woman I want to be. You see, I'd become a
- [](https://reneeswope.com/shaped-with-purpose-winner/) - The winner of "Shaped with Purpose : A Practical Guide for Discovering Who You Are" Workbook and CD is Heather at hec3711@msn.com. Congratulations Heather!! We sold over 180 Shaped with Purpose workbooks/CDs after the devotion ran last Thursday! If you won or ordered them, we've got more on the way. We'll be shipping them to
- [Uniquely You!](https://reneeswope.com/uniquely-you/) - Have you ever wondered why you are the way you are or why you do things the way you do? I remember all the way back to Jr. High feeling like I didn't really like who I was. I'd compare myself to those around me and try to figure out who people liked most, so
- [About Renee](https://reneeswope.com/about-me/) - Like having coffee with a friend and mentor, Renee's authentic style and soul-stirring messages draw women closer to the heart of God and each other. As a national speaker, author and co-host of Proverbs 31 Ministries' international radio program, Renee connects with women of all ages and stages in life. She has a unique way
- [Try Something NEW!](https://reneeswope.com/im-official-fan-of-poached-eggs/) - Thanks for prayers!!! My weekend away with Holly and Lysa was so great, in so many ways! We had lots of fun and we got so much done!! Last week I posted about my big goals for the get-away. Well, I didn't meet them all. I could be disappointed but I know without a doubt
- [A Great Give-Away and a Little Get-Away](https://reneeswope.com/great-give-away-and-little-get-away/) - Can you say whirlwind? That is how my little life feels right now, in a good kind of way. It's been a whirlwind of a week with lots of decisions and meetings and planning and running kids to friends' houses and camps, serving yummy goodness to lots of boys and having some great family times.
- [Where I'm Supposed to Be](https://reneeswope.com/where-im-supposed-to-be/) - Last week I wanted to be omniscient. I don't think I've ever felt like that in such a strong way, but I was seriously envying God's ability to be in all places at all times. And to be fully present in each of them. I couldn't stop thinking about the possibility of Hope going to
- [When God Gives Hope and a Future](https://reneeswope.com/future-and-hope/) - Last week after I posted "Waiting with Hope" I found out I was going to be doing that, literally. I'll explain in a minute. To help with the wait, God reminded me of two verses He gave me for our sweet baby girl, Aster. One is Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I
- [Walking in Faith, Waiting with Hope](https://reneeswope.com/walking-in-faith-waiting-with-hope/) - So now that we're home and all our bags are unpacked, I wanted to give you an update on where we are in our plans to bring our baby girl home from Ethiopia.For those of you who are new to my blog, our family has been in the process of adopting a daughter from Ethiopia
- [Building Our Husbands Up Through Prayer](https://reneeswope.com/building-our-husbands-up-through-prayer/) - Welcome to those of you visiting from the Proverbs 31 Devotion today.As I shared in my devotion, I haven't always been so good at following and trusting my husband's lead. But over the past 15 years, God has done a work in me and in JJ. I know marriage can be hard and trusting someone
- [But God!](https://reneeswope.com/but-god/) - I have so much to tell you guys but so little time this week. Today is Andrew's 5th grade graduation from Elementary school so I am hurrying to get out the door. But I just had to update you on some big news!I have been writing and writing the past week. I was seriously ready
- [Just Enough Light for The Step I'm Taking](https://reneeswope.com/just-enough-light-for-step-im-taking/) - Thank you for your prayers and notes. God used your Words to calm my heart and love on me! I read each verse and heeded your encouragement. My heart found such comfort in them.After I blogged Monday, and asked for prayers, I decided to trace God's fingerprints over the past week and look for His
- [How will I know?](https://reneeswope.com/how-do-i-know/) - Our family is in New York this week on vacation. We flew into NYC last Thursday night and rented a car Friday to drive to Lake Placid for the marathon JJ ran yesterday. We have never been to this area and it's beautiful!!! Today we're relaxing and enjoying time together in the mountains while JJ's
- [Please pray for my man!](https://reneeswope.com/please-pray-for-my-man/) - I am in Lake Placid, New York with JJ and the boys. JJ is running a marathon today. He just called my cell to say he's almost at mile 12, which is right in front of our hotel. We are headed out to meet him with a power drink, an icey cold towel and his
- [BibleGateway.com's 100 Most-read Bible verses](https://reneeswope.com/100-most-read-bible-verses-at/) - I was searching for some verses this morning and read on BibleGateway.com that they decided to find out the 100 most-read Bible verses on their site. They crunched some numbers from a sample of 25 million Bible passage searches from March and April. (OMG!) I was going to list them all but it became a mile-long
- [](https://reneeswope.com/shadow-of-doubt-dvd-winner/) - The winner of my 'Beyond the Shadow of Doubt' DVD is Darlene Oakley. Congratulations!! Please email your mailing address to Renee@Proverbs31.org and we'll send it to you. Happy Weekend!
- [On My Knees](https://reneeswope.com/parenting-on-my-knees/) - I woke up this morning at 2:14am. My heart was so heavy-burdened for my 14yr old son who's struggling with a bunch of hard stuff right now. It's part of being a teenager. Part of the changes and challenges that come with it. Those feelings and doubts and questions that just come out of nowhere!
- [Exceedingly More!](https://reneeswope.com/you-are-exceedingly-more/) - We have 867 surveys complete! God did exceedingly more, didn't HE?? That's 367 more than my original goal and only 133 less than 1000 - my "God it would be amazing to get 1000 " goal! I just have to go for exceedingly, abundantly more, don't ya think? If you haven't had a chance, please
- [About Our Doubts](https://reneeswope.com/when-god-takes-broken-and-makes-it/) - Click here to complete my mini-survey and for a chance to win a book!You are blessings me to pieces with all your comments and surveys. I'm going to leave this up through the weekend and make some big announcements on Monday. Have a great weekend my faithful and wonderful friends!! Welcome to those linking over
- [You're the Reason](https://reneeswope.com/youre-reason/) - Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers as I pull away to work on my book proposal!! I finished my chapter summaries Friday night, and started writing sample chapters. My eyes have been crossing and my brain is saying, "Enough already!" I don't think I've thought this hard or this much in all
- [I'm in Time Out!](https://reneeswope.com/im-in-time-out/) - I got an email from my sweet friend and "boss" Lysa on Monday telling me she was mandating (in a sweet kind of way) that I take time off work to finish my book proposal! She knew that I had a really stressful week last week at work, I've been traveling with speaking, and just
- [Choosing One Thing](https://reneeswope.com/choosing-one-thing/) - The opportunity to choose one thing - one thing that is "most important in my life" not to fail in- just presented itself. This morning my son Joshua woke up and said, "Mom, I want today to be my day." Each year for their birthday we let our kids choose a day off school to
- [Becoming...](https://reneeswope.com/becoming/) - Failure often makes me want to give up, mainly on myself. On Wednesday, I heard from woman after hurting woman saying they had given up – mainly on themselves.They were ready to quit. They were beat down. But that day, they felt God reaching down for their hand offering to hold it and help them
- [Rising Again](https://reneeswope.com/rising-again/) - "...though a righteous (woman) falls seven times, (she) rises again." Proverbs 24:16a Thanks for stopping by today! If you found your way here from my P31 devotion, I'm so glad you stopped by. I promised to share some practical ways we can fail forward with God’s help in areas where we most often feel defeated.
- [An update on KIM - please keep praying!!!](https://reneeswope.com/update-on-kim-please-keep-praying/) - Here is an update from my friend Kim's mom, Linda. Like Kim, she is an amazing woman!! In fact, second to the image of God I see in Kim, I see so much of Kim's mom in her - amazing strength, immeasurable love for her children, grace and faith in an unchanging, all-loving God! From
- [Have you noticed any changes?](https://reneeswope.com/have-you-noticed-any-changes/) - Thank you SO MUCH for all of your prayers, promises and notes to Kim. Her appointment went well and another CT scan was done today. For a detailed update, visit her CaringBridge page at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kimwhisenant Okay, I'm switching gears and I have some very important questions for you: Have you noticed any changes God has
- [Worth the Climb](https://reneeswope.com/worth-climb/) - We had this really steep hill that lead out to the main entrance of our old neighborhood. One afternoon I decided Joshua and I needed to conquer it by riding our bikes to the top. As I peddled up the huge incline in 1st gear, I wondered why in the world I volunteered to do
- [Praying for Kim](https://reneeswope.com/praying-for-kim/) - I get to spend some special time today with my friend Kim. We used to be next-door-neighbors, too. I'm really looking forward to it, although I wish we were going shopping or doing something fun instead of what we have planned. Today we are going to the Cancer center for Kim to meet with her
- [A Lifetime Warranty](https://reneeswope.com/i-need-walk-through/) - I've had workers in my house for the past two days hammering, banging, scraping, caulking and fixin' things. It's been so noisy! I am not so crazy about noisy. In fact, I love quiet. And a whoppin' sinus/stress headache has really made me miss my quiet. I also miss having the house all to myself
- [A Promise Kept](https://reneeswope.com/personalizing-gods-promises/) - In my Encouragement for Today devotion, I shared a story about my son Andrew, and how God used him to help me see what love is. It's knowing that God cares, He listens, and He will be there for me - no matter what! It's knowing that He wants to spend time with me. That
- [What are you doing this weekend?](https://reneeswope.com/what-are-you-doing-this-weeeknd-id-love/) - I'm speaking in Roxboro, North Carolina this Saturday, April 25th, and I'd love to meet you! If you are close by, please join us for a day filled with fun, teaching and amazing worship lead by Charity Helms. We're gonna laugh, and maybe cry, in a good kind of way. We're gonna get real and
- [The Good Life](https://reneeswope.com/is-this-the-good-life/) - “I feel completely numb,” she said. “I don’t want to be a mom or a wife anymore. I could walk out on my family today and not feel anything…but it would devastate them. And I can't do that because I care about them. I just don’t have anything left in me to give or feel.
- [More I would've missed...](https://reneeswope.com/more-of-what-i-wouldve-missed/)
- [Your Faith Has Saved You](https://reneeswope.com/your-faith-has-saved-you/) - I'm sitting on the other side of "my world" this morning, looking out the window at the Pacific ocean. Leah and I spent yesterday in two planes and three airports, traveling across the country to speak this weekend in Southern California. I LOVE the women who planned this event and I can't wait to see
- [Made in the secret place](https://reneeswope.com/i-needed-to-be-reminded-today/) - My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth...Psalm 139:15 My cousin sent me this in an email. I'd read it before, but when I read it this morning it sunk into a place in my heart that
- [Giveaway Winner!](https://reneeswope.com/giveaway-winner/) - It was so hard to choose a winner from Thursday's comments. I wish I could give each of you a copy! But since I can't, I let Random.org do the choosing. The winner of the Learning to Live Financially Free giveaway is kimlord@comcast.net. She left the 15th comment and Random Integers picked the number 15.
- [A Psalm 4 Tough Times](https://reneeswope.com/psalm-4-tough-times/) - Written by Marybeth Whalen Author of "Learning to Live Financially Free" “Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; Be merciful to me and hear my prayer.” Lord, you saw that list of layoffs my company is talking about. I don’t know what the future holds
- [Lean On Me](https://reneeswope.com/lean-on-me/) - It's Spring Break! So far we've been on a stay-cation, along with almost everyone we know. I love being home. And I love, love, love being with my family. But I had to confess to God this morning that I was struggling a little with the timing of our Spring break. It's because I finally
- [Rising Again Because He's Risen in Me](https://reneeswope.com/preparing-our-hearts-for-easter/) - This week I added an new email tagline: "Rising again because He's risen in me." It came to me after my posts last week about getting up again. Jesus really is the only reason I can! It is also the perfect reminder for as I prepare for Easter. I can rise again because He rose
- [Getting Up Again](https://reneeswope.com/getting-up-again/) - "...though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again" Proverbs 24:16a In the same way I don't like failing, I also don't like FALLING either. It's painful, embarrassing and sometimes makes me want to quit trying. But God is teaching me about getting up again when I fall. He reminds me again and again
- [Learning to Fail Forward](https://reneeswope.com/failing-forward/) - I admire (maybe even envy) people who aren't afraid to fail. You know, those people who see personal setbacks as just another goal to conquer. People who don't even consider defeat when they blow it. I wish I was that kind of person. But honestly, I am not so crazy about failure. Failure is painful.
- [Wherever You Are](https://reneeswope.com/wherever-you-are/) - Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got! Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking
- [Creating Spiritual Connections with Our Kids](https://reneeswope.com/creating-spiritual-connections-with/) - WHOOPS! The link from today's devotion (April 23rd) was supposed to go to my home page where I have a list of God's promises for you! Click here if you'd like to read them. This post is from my devotion March 26th about finding God's perspective and purpose as a parent. In it, I shared
- [D6 Stories, D6 Devotional Magazines and a FREE D6 Conference](https://reneeswope.com/d6-stories-d6-devotional-magazines-and/) - The spiritual connections we make with our kids create what we call D6 stories! A D6 story is moment where our faith intersects our everyday lives and we use it to pass on a spiritual truth to our kids. It's a great way to follow the instructions God gives to parents in Deuteronomy 6:5-7And you
- [Happy Friday!](https://reneeswope.com/happy-friday/) - I'm so sorry I've only had one post this week. This not-so-perfect woman has been feeling not-so-good. I got the coughy, itchy throat, sniffy nose, feel like I wanna crawl in a hole and sleep for days bug. I so didn't have time to be sick this week but I am excited to say that
- [The not-so-perfect P31 Woman](https://reneeswope.com/just-in-case-you-ever-thought/) - A few years ago I'd been speaking at a women's conference when a woman came up to me to say she almost didn't come to the event because I was a speaker from Proverbs 31 ministries. She told me that chapter in the Bible made her feel bad, and every time she heard a message
- [Painting Pictures](https://reneeswope.com/painting-pictures-with-our-words/) - I've been thinking about how Jesus used His words to draw someone's attention off of who they were to who they could become. It reminded me of a quote I read in “Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World. Zig Ziglar explains how “words paint pictures in a child’s mind and then his mind goes
- [Great Giveaway](https://reneeswope.com/greatbig-giveaway/) - I wanted to let you know that my friend Sharon Sloan is doing a great BIG give-away on her blog as she celebrates her 100th blog post today. As part of her celebration, she is giving away several resources and one of them is my Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child character
- [I almost blew it!](https://reneeswope.com/i-almost-blew-it/) - Happy Monday! The winner of Micca's book is Renee and Cullen! Oh, I almost blew it on Friday. Well, I sorta did blow it but thank you Jesus, I caught my self just as it was happening and shut my mouth before I really blew it! I was trying so hard to be a good
- [Taking Our Worries Captive](https://reneeswope.com/worry-taking-it-captive/) - I've been taking your burdens (shared in yesterday's comments) to the Cross praying that Christ’ power will resurrect, renew and restore the pain and suffering you are facing. Jesus is faithful and able to bring beauty from the ashes. I am praying that when we can't see His hand or understand His plans, we will
- [Peace-full = Worry-Less](https://reneeswope.com/worry-less/) - In my P31 devotion today, I talked about finding God's peace in the midst of our worries. I love that verse in Matthew 11:28 where Jesus says, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest." The word weary is so close to the word worry. And
- [Surrendering My Plans](https://reneeswope.com/when-god-re-arranges-my-plans/) - Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 23:4-5 (NIV) I wonder if Jesus ever felt frustrated when God changed His plans for the day. Did Jesus feel that
- [A Quiet Place](https://reneeswope.com/quiet-place/) - I had it all planned out to find a "quiet place" to be with Jesus yesterday. I was going to get filled up after two days of running errands and catching up on work this week. I had planned to blog and answer questions about finding time to be with Jesus so we can balance
- [Life to the Full](https://reneeswope.com/life-to-full/) - Have you ever felt like your life was lifeless? Almost every day I meet women who aren't living - they're merely surviving. And some barely. And sometimes I am right there with them. In John 10:10, Jesus said, "I have come that [you] may have life, and have it to the full." But it seems
- [This and that...](https://reneeswope.com/this-and-that/) - Hi friends! I have so missed talking with you. It's been a crazy busy but good week. I keep telling myself I need to blog about something meaningful and so I start thinking about what I am learning and can share with you, and then someone's hungry, another someone needs clean clothes and the other
- [Abiding](https://reneeswope.com/abide/) - I've shared a lot of stories lately of ways I've helped my kids see God in everyday lessons and apply His promises in their lives. But I want you to know that I don't always know what to say or see spiritual truths in every situation. It's something I really want and something I've asked
- [Last Week's Give-Away Winners!](https://reneeswope.com/last-weeks-give-away-winners_16/) - Monday’s Winners: Kate (khthankful@hotmail.com) wins a copy of “Out of the Mouths of Babes” by Wendy Pope Melissa (blessedoriginals@mchsi.com) wins a D6 Mom T-Shirt and a year’s worth of Family Devotional Magazines from D6. Tuesday’s Winners: Tonya (tonyarenee1972@yahoo.com) wins a copy of “Revolutionary Parenting” by George Barna Cynthia (ihs_70x7@yahoo.com) wins aD6 Mom
- [Cleaning Out the Clutter](https://reneeswope.com/time-to-clean-out-clutter/) - My closet is cluttered and it’s starting to get to me! I am so tired of clothes hanging off the shelves more than the hangers and tripping over shoes and things that need to go to Goodwill. I know it will take me a few hours to sort through it all and get rid of
- [Giveaway Winners](https://reneeswope.com/giveaway-winners-2/) - Happy weekend! I've got another powerful guest post coming up. But first, I wanted to share the winners of my last few giveaways! The 5 winners of Lisa-Jo Baker's book, Surprised by Motherhood are…. Charlene A. Olga R. Janet Daniel Paige Estes Mindy Serrano The winner of Jennifer Duke Lee’s book, Love Idol: Letting Go of Your Need for Approval
- [A D6 Mom - A D6 Moment](https://reneeswope.com/d6-mom-d6-moment/) - My friend and assistant, Leah, is one of the most amazing moms I know. She is constantly inspiring me with stories about her kids and ways she is passing her faith to them in everyday moments. Sometimes they pass it back! Here is a neat D6 story she shared with me recently: “We need
- [Lessons from an Oreo Cookie](https://reneeswope.com/lessons-from-oreo-cookie/) - I love it when God takes an ordinary moment and shows me an extraordinary truth about His heart towards me. Sometimes I pass it onto to my kids right then, but other times I let it sink into my heart for a while. That's how my friend Wendy felt when God used an Oreo cookie
- [Last Week's Give-Away Winners!](https://reneeswope.com/last-weeks-give-away-winners/) - Monday's Winners Shannon(smarklow@gmail.com) wins a copy of “Untroubled Heart: Finding Faith that is Stronger than My Fears”. Mary Beth (mbsalmon@sbcglobal.net) wins a year’s worth of Family Devotional Magazines from D6. Wednesday's Winners Terry (jonesy4him@comcast.net) wins a copy of “Total Money Make-Over”. Oh Dear (dearingfamilycircus@verizon.net)wins a copy of “Finding Home”. Ann Marie (amkraft1@gmail.com) gets a copy
- [Peace-full](https://reneeswope.com/peace-full/) - Update: When I started to write a post today (Friday), I sensed God wanted me to leave this post up through the weekend. I pray these words will fall fresh on your weary or worried heart today. They have on mine. I am working on my book proposal about a woman's doubts this weekend. I'
- [When A Child Worries](https://reneeswope.com/when-your-child-worries/) - Recently my son came to me and said he didn’t want to have ANY anxious thoughts that day – he didn’t want to worry about me being home when he got off the school bus, or about his teacher liking his science project, or about whether his dad would get in a car accident. It
- [Have No Fear](https://reneeswope.com/have-no-fear/) - There are so many things I want to teach my kids, so many spiritual truths I want to pass on. Like Deuteronomy 6 tells us, God wants us to impress on our children's hearts the things He is teaching us. As a D6 family we try to look for opportunities during conversations, or plan times
- [Thanks & Congratulations!](https://reneeswope.com/thanks-congratulations/) - Thank you so much for your prayers this weekend! I could really feel them while I was traveling and speaking at the Christ Community Church's women's retreat in Sumter, SC Friday and Saturday. There was an amazing sense of God's anointing on the whole event and lots of spiritual warfare, too. My very dear friend,
- [More Great Financial Truths to Teach Our Kids](https://reneeswope.com/more-great-financial-truths-to-teach/) - I was so encouraged by the response to Marybeth's post here on Tuesday that I asked her to stop by again and share more ways we can learn and teach our kids God's perspective of money. Marybeth Whalen, is a P31 speaker, mom of six, fellow blogger, and author of "Learning to Live Financially Free".
- [R.a.k. 'em with Kindness](https://reneeswope.com/rak-em-with-kindness/) - Becoming a gold-mining mom has encouraged me to look for ways for us to live out God's truths in our family's life - not just tell my kids about them. It's not always easy, and believe me, I often fail. But finding creative ways to keep God's Words in front of us and put them
- [God's Treasures of Truth](https://reneeswope.com/living-and-giving-gods-treasures-of/) - Welcome to my "Month of Encouragement for Moms" sponsored by D6 and Proverbs 31 Ministries. If you found your way here from my P31 devotion, I'm so glad you stopped by. And if you're one my regular blog readers, thanks for being here each day. Your comments encourage me when I don't know what to
- [Teaching Our Kids Financial Truths](https://reneeswope.com/financial-truths-to-teach-your-kids/) - Did you know that Jesus talked about money as much as He talked about eternity? As we look for ways to help our kids connect everyday life to spiritual truths, I think it's really important to talk to them and teach them God's perspective of money. Today, I've invited my friend, Marybeth Whalen, who is also
- [Cultivating Contentment with our Kids](https://reneeswope.com/cultivating-contentment-with-our-kids/) - Welcome to my "Month of Encouragement for Mom's" in January. Whether you're a mom or not, I pray that you'll stay a while and that you'll find something here to encourage your heart today. I thought it would be fun to take what we talked about last week and go a little deeper with our
- [Girl Talk](https://reneeswope.com/girl-talk/) - I grew up with four brothers and wasn't much a of a girly-girl, although I wanted to be. I think I lost trust in the female species post slumber party trauma - when I woke up with bubble gum in my hair after falling asleep first. (Still need counseling, I'm sure:->) But eventually, I discovered
- [Last Week's Give-Away Winners!](https://reneeswope.com/last-weeks-give-away-winners/) - I am so sorry to be so late in posting last week's winners. It's Monday at 3pm but I am posting it as Sunday so todays' post for moms is at the top. I have a serious sleep deprivation hangover from our trip to Texas. Didn't sleep much - can't imagine why :-)! I had
- [Shaping Your Child’s Character](https://reneeswope.com/shaping-your-childs-character/) - UPDATE: I'm back from TEXAS!!! Wow, what an amazing time we had. I have photos and stories to share as soon as I get come braincells back. If you were there, I'm so glad you joined us. I hope I got to hug your neck or see your smiling face in the crowd!! Wasn't it
- [Mining for Gold in the Heart of Your Child](https://reneeswope.com/mining-for-gold-in-heart-of-your-child/) - Yesterday, I shared my story of becoming a gold-mining mom. You might want to scroll down to read the first part, then come back for the rest of the story. It will will make much more sense if you start with the beginning. The next day, Joshua and I created a character charton poster board.
- [Becoming a Gold-Mining Mom](https://reneeswope.com/becoming-gold-mining-mom/) - Today I have a devotion on Crosswalk and at Proverbs 31 about the day I almost quit being a mom. It was a really hard day. But it really was the day I started “becoming” the mom I always wanted to be. One thing I learned is that I couldn't become that kind of mom until
- [More Encouragement for Moms](https://reneeswope.com/more-encouragement-for-moms/) - Philippians 4:9, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.” I would love to know the age of your kids. (Please post a comment to let us know). My oldest turns fourteen in May and my youngest just turned eleven. I have noticed that passing my
- [Chicken Soup For The Teenage (Parent's) Soul](https://reneeswope.com/chicken-soup-for-teenage-parents-soul/) - If you're a mom of younger children (who read today's post title) and are about to leave my blog, don't do it! Today's lessons can never be applied too early, I promise. For those of you visiting from Marybeth's blog looking for my chicken noodle soup recipe, it'll be here shortly. First I want to
- [Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup for a TeenAgers Soul](https://reneeswope.com/homemade-chicken-noodle-soup-for/) - There is nothing that says I love you like a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup for my teen-age and tween-age boys. I'll be making some this afternoon since they are home from school for the holiday. I made this recipe up one day when my kids were asking me to make Grandma's soup. I
- [Be Careful What You Look Through](https://reneeswope.com/be-careful-what-you-look-through/) - Your stories and prayers moved me so much yesterday. I have prayed and continue to pray these words for you and your families..."I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in
- [This Week's Mom Give-Away Winners](https://reneeswope.com/this-weeks-winners-will-be-announced/) - Thank You D6, Proverbs 31 Ministries and KSBJ for making this week's give-aways possible! Monday's Winners Stephanie (carlson2398@roadrunner.com) wins a copy of Finding Home. Wendi (wendio@suddenlink.net) wins a copy of Woman’s Secret to a Balanced Life. Tuesday's Winners Kim (clmsntgers@charter.net) wins a copy of Revolutionary Parenting. April (jasapril98@yahoo.com) wins a copy of Mining for Gold
- [Moms Desperate for God](https://reneeswope.com/moms-desperate-for-god/) - “Don’t doubt in the dark, what you know to be true in the light.” Anonymous My friend Glynnis had three little boys within five years. She quickly felt overwhelmed by the role of molding the hearts and managing the behaviors of three very different children! After attending a parenting class her church offered, Glynnis felt
- [I'm Desperate for YOU!](https://reneeswope.com/im-desperate-for-you/) - After I wrote today's post this song kept playing in my mind.
- [Helping Your Child See God in Everyday Life](https://reneeswope.com/helping-your-child-see-god-in-everyday/) - These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 Today I want you to meet another D6 mom, Van Walton.
- [D6 Moms and D6 Moments](https://reneeswope.com/d6-mom-and-d6-moments/) - Today I want to introduce you to a D6 mom, my friend and P31 teammate, Amy Carroll. When I first asked Amy to join me during our “Month of Encouragement for Moms” sponsored by D6 and Proverbs 31 Ministries, she was excited, but then her joy was dampened by a sense of failure. She shared
- [Becoming the Mom I Always Wanted to Be](https://reneeswope.com/becoming-mom-i-always-wanted-to-be/) - O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Psalm 139: 1-3 (NIV) Becoming the mom I always wanted to be has been a
- [This Week's Mom Give-Away Winners](https://reneeswope.com/this-weeks-mom-give-away-winners/) - p31mom1980 wins a D6/P31 Family gift pakfrom Monday's post. (includes one year of the P31 Magazine for mom, one year of the D6 Clear magazine for kids, and a D6 Mom coffee mug) Hiker Mom wins aD6/P31 Family gift pak from Tuesday's post (drawn from Monday's comments) includes P31 Magazine for mom, one year of
- [You're Not Alone](https://reneeswope.com/you-are-not-alone/) - Being a mom is too important and too hard to go it alone. Isolation is dangerous. It's where the enemy whispers, "You are the only one who thinks that way. You are the only one who feels like the way you do. You are the only one who acts like that." Then he tries to
- [As we begin this journey together...](https://reneeswope.com/as-we-begin-this-journey-together/) - As we begin this journey together, I want you to know where I started as a mom. I didn’t start out as a can-do mom with can-do thoughts and can-do kids. No. Those whiny give-up attitudes my son displayed in yesterday’s devotion were inherited from me. I was quite familiar with the sidelines of mommy
- [Becoming a Can-Do Mom, Raising Can-Do Kids](https://reneeswope.com/becoming-can-do-mom-raising-can-do-kids/) - In my devotion today on Crosswalk and Proverbs 31 Ministries, I talked about a situation where I felt frustrated and completely helpless as a mom. So I asked for God's help and He came through with a powerful promise to help my son become a can-do kid, and help me become a can-do mom! Andrew
- [What is a D6 Family?](https://reneeswope.com/what-is-d6-family/) - Today we're kicking off a month of encouragement for moms! Proverbs 31 Ministries is partnering with D6 Family Conference and Ministry, along with Focus on the Family, Barna Research Group, Dave Ramsey, John Trent, Angela Thomas and many more who believe that moms (and dads) have the most important job on earth. God has entrusted
- [There's Still Time to Sign Up!](https://reneeswope.com/free-to/) - In just over 15 days, I'll be doing something I've never done before, and I'm planning it with you in mind. I'm so excited. I wish we were meeting in a coffee shop so I could look across the table and invite you personally, because if I could I would!! I'd invite you to join
- [Do you long for lasting confidence?](https://reneeswope.com/a-confident-heart-online-bible-book-study/) - I shared a few of these thoughts here a few weeks ago but wanted to share them and a few more here again this afternoon. You see, in just over 15 days, I'll be doing something I've never done before. And I planned it with you in mind. You...the woman who senses God has more
- [A Gift Every Woman Needs for Christmas](https://reneeswope.com/a-gift-every-woman-needs-for-christmas/) - Today, I have a gift I want to give you. I's a gift EVERY WOMAN NEEDS! And it's tucked inside this short video. I recorded it last week for a friend's Christmas give-away, but after I finished it, I just knew God wanted me to give it to you too! So, instead of reading about
- [Day Seven - The 7-day Doubt Diet](https://reneeswope.com/day-seven-the-7-day-doubt-diet/) - Day 7: Getting Up Again Taken in part from Chapter 7 & 12 of A Confident Heart Food for thought: “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again." (Proverbs 24:16 NIV) I’ve always admired people who aren’t afraid to fail. You know, the ones who don’t even consider defeat when they blow it; people
- [Because God's Love is Perfect, I Don't Have to Be](https://reneeswope.com/because-gods-love-is-perfect-i-dont-have-to-be/) - Welcome friends! If you hopped over from my P31 devotion to find the free download of chapter 2 from my book A Confident Heart, or to sign up for my online study, or enter my give-away - the links and details are below. First I'd love to share a little of my story and why
- [Praying for my husband - from head to toe](https://reneeswope.com/building-our-husbands-up-through-prayer/) - Did you hear about my issue? That secret struggle I had for so long when it came respecting my husband. I confessed it all in my P31 devotion today. As I shared, I haven't always been so good at following and trusting my man''s lead. BUT God has done an amazing work in me -
- [](https://reneeswope.com/1802/) - Wow, over 400 of you responded to my blog post about marriage last week, and left me a note saying you wanted a copy of the my "Praying for Your Husband" verses. I'm so excited we're all going to be praying God's words for our guys! It'll take us a little while to get 400
- [You were created to live with confidence!](https://reneeswope.com/were-smarter-than-he-is/) - Do you ever wonder why you didn't get the gift of confidence like others you know? I used to feel slighted by that. But over time I realized there was more to confidence than just being born with it. Lasting confidence comes from knowing and believing that our value isn't determined by our performance or
- [Day Six - The 7-day Doubt Diet](https://reneeswope.com/1705/) - Day 6: Measuring Up Taken in part from Chapter 6 of A Confident Heart Food for thought: “When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” (2 Cor. 10:12 NIV) Do you ever compare yourself to others and feel like you don’t quite measure up? Maybe you think you’re
- [Day Five - The 7-day Doubt Diet](https://reneeswope.com/day-5-the-7-day-doubt-diet/) - Day 5: But I Don’t Have Anything Special to Offer Taken in part from Chapter 8 of A Confident Heart © 2011 by Renee Swope with Revell PublishingFood for thought: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Ps. 139:13 NIV)) I sat in the circle praying we’d run
- [Day Three of the 7-day Doubt Diet](https://reneeswope.com/day-three-of-the-7-day-doubt-diet/) - Important Update: If you signed up to receive the updated blog post "Looking Back So We Can Move Forward," I don't know why the new version wasnt' delivered in my email update last night. To read it, please click here. If you're signed up to go with me through the 7-day Doubt Diet, here's our
- [Day Four - The 7-day Doubt Diet](https://reneeswope.com/day-four-the-7-day-doubt-diet/) - Day 4: Sometimes Worry Makes Me Wonder Taken in part from Chapter 9 © 2011 by Renee Swope with Revell Publishing. All rights reserved. Food for Thought: She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke
- [Looking Back So We Can Move Forward](https://reneeswope.com/looking-back-so-we-can-move-forward/) - When I was in elementary school, I used to make bouquets out of azaleas and walk down the aisle of my dad’s long driveway lined with magnolia trees, imagining a prince waiting for me on the porch. Those were little girl dreams I thought I'd left behind. In my devotion "I Haven't Got Time for
- [Day Two of “The 7-day Doubt Diet”](https://reneeswope.com/day-two-of-“the-7-day-doubt-diet”/) - Hi friends, sorry today's post is late. Life is a little more than I've been able to physically manage today. I have a sick little one at home. And it's more than just a fussy day, since she's not able to communicate what she needs or wants and she's very frustrated. One of the valleys
- [Day One of "The 7-day Doubt Diet"](https://reneeswope.com/day-one-of-the-7-day-doubt-diet/) - After reading your comments and emails last week week, I'm so encouraged by how God interrupted what I was doing and prompted me to check on you. That prompting led me to invite you on an unplanned journey through my 7-day Doubt Diet. Over 4000 of you signed up, and hundreds of you shared how
- [Wanna go on the 7-day Doubt Diet - right here? Together?](https://reneeswope.com/wanna-go-on-the-7-day-doubt-diet-right-here-together/) - It's late Wednesday night and you're on my heart. I'm wondering how you're doing, and if maybe you are feeling weighed down by self-doubt. God nudged me to pull away from what I was doing (working on preparation for a retreat this weekend) to write a note from my heart. It was totally unplanned, but
- [When Pain from Yesterday Robs Us of Hope for Tomorrow](https://reneeswope.com/with-jesus-there-is-hope-for-our-future-despite-the-pain-of-our-past/) - She said God wanted to heal my past hurts and use my pain to comfort others with the same hope He'd give me. But I didn’t want anyone to know about the pain of my past. I didn’t want to talk about it or deal with it. I was ashamed of it and wanted it
- [Just in case you're wondering where I am](https://reneeswope.com/just-in-case-you-are-wondering/) - I've tried to start this post so many times. I'm not sure how many of you meet me here and also on Facebook where I've been sharing updates. But for those who might be wondering, I wanted to stop in to say hi and let you know where I've been. Our family is going through
- [Don't Throw Away Your Confidence](https://reneeswope.com/1470/) - “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV) Have you ever thrown away your confidence? One night I was cleaning our kitchen and found this little rubber
- [Beat Up or Built Up?](https://reneeswope.com/beat-up-or-built-up/) - Early mornings can be the hardest for me when it comes to feelings of uncertainty and inadequacy. I think its because my guard is down when I first wake up. It's easy to let my thoughts bombard me with mental memo of all I need to do, how much time I don't have, how I'm
- [When your heart whispers,"Is God enough?"](https://reneeswope.com/when-your-heart-whispersis-god-enough/) - Is God enough? It's a question her circumstances bring her back to quite often. But over a lifetime, she's come to the conclusion that not only is God enough, He has to be enough. As a young child, she didn't realize her need for God, but she did realize she had a need that wasn't
- [Living Beyond the Shadows of Our Doubts](https://reneeswope.com/living-beyond-the-shadows-of-our-doubts/) - Today I shared the story of how I discovered the shadow of my doubt. That day was a huge turning point for me. As I stood in my bathroom looking at the humongous shadow on my wall, I sensed God whispering to my heart: Renee, you can only see the shadow because you have turned
- [A peek inside...](https://reneeswope.com/a-peek-inside/) - Hi friends! I'm almost ready to throw open the doors of my new home online. Just a few more pieces of furniture and wall hangings. But, my publisher wanted me to launch it so they could link to some pages, so I decided I'd leave the door unlocked for special friends like you, too. When
- [Peace-giving Promises](https://reneeswope.com/promises-that-are-bigger-than-our-problems/) - Welcome to my NEW website!! I'm so glad you stopped by today! If you found your way here from the Proverbs 31 Ministries invitation to join us on The 7-day Doubt Diet, click here for more details or simply sign up in my sidebar. If you're visiting after reading my P31 devotion, "When Worry Makes
- [You are My Hope & Confidence](https://reneeswope.com/you-are-my-hope-confidence/) - I've been praying for each of you that posted concerns last week in this post. I've also got two winners to announce, but first I have a special friend I want you to meet. A friend who has needed and experienced God's care in ways most of us cannot imagine. Her story will truly change
- [When you can name what it is...](https://reneeswope.com/once-you-can-name-what-it-is/) - I hated feeling this way...uneasy and so uncertain. If only I knew what what was making my emotions so wobbly. If only I could name it. Then I could figure out what to do about it. One day He showed me. It was doubt. Not fear or worry, but self-doubt that made me question everything
- [Framing God's Gifts - on the porch with Ann Voskamp ](https://reneeswope.com/framing-gods-gifts-on-the-porch-with-ann-voskamp/) - Fields rolled by and I wondered which farm was her's. I took photos just in case that was the one. It wasn't. But we were getting close. Leah and I had been ministering at a women's event in Ontario all weekend, and now we were on our way to visit my sweet friend, Ann Voskamp.
- [Measuring Up](https://reneeswope.com/measuring-up/) - Ever feel like someone is telling you that you can’t measure up? That something is wrong with you? If so, have you ever stopped to ask, “Who is saying these things? Who is causing me to doubt myself? Is it me? Is there something from my past that led me to believe this? Or is
- [A New Place to Call Home...coming soon](https://reneeswope.com/open-house-coming-soon/) - Hi friends! I'm in the middle of designing and filling the rooms of a new place that I will soon call home -- online. I cannot wait to share my new website with you! I've been dreaming about new decorations and renovations for years. I've longed for a place that reflects more of my personality,
- [Winners, winners & more winners!](https://reneeswope.com/winners-winners-more-winners/) - I'm back from Canada, and boy do I have a story to tell! Still recuperating, but photos and details coming soon. Here are the winners from my past few give-aways! Drum roll please... There Is No One Like You post on May 18, 2011 Leslie Mears you have won 3 copies of A Confident Heart
- [Getting Up Again](https://reneeswope.com/getting-up-again/) - "Failure can be hurtful but it can also be beneficial because failure produces wisdom when we ask for it and maturity when we learn from it." In my Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion today, I shared this truth and how God's used it to teach me how to "get up again" when failure threatened to keep
- [Are you tired of doubting yourself?](https://reneeswope.com/want-to-lose-little-weight/) - If you are ready to lose the weight of discouragement and self-doubt, be sure to sign up for "The 7-Day Doubt Diet" in my sidebar.If you are hopping over from Karen Ehman's "Weight Loss Wednesday" blog post, welcome! I'm so glad you are here. I've got a great give-away that I'd love for you to
- [Winners and Other great offersl!](https://reneeswope.com/last-weeks-winners/) - The winner of last week's give-away from my If only I had known... post is Monica! Monica, you are going to receive an autographed copy of Lynn's Cowell's new book, His Revolutionary Love. Lynn gave me a signed copy this week and I love it! The layout is so perfect for teen girls with great
- [7-day Doubt Diet - UPDATE](https://reneeswope.com/doubt-diet-update/) - Hi friends!! I wanted to give you a quick update on my 7-day Doubt Diet. I'm sorry so many of you have emailed me and haven't heard back. We ended up with over 300 of you signed up! I was soooo excited!! But, then I was a little sad. You see my publisher said I
- [There is No One Like You!](https://reneeswope.com/there-is-no-one-like-you/) - Do you remember being in middle school? Those were the awkward years. I remember not really liking who I was or how I looked. I have a feeling a lot of us didn’t like ourselves at that age, but we all desperately wanted others to like us, right? At that point, I think a lot
- [Highlights, Winners & Another GoBible Give-away!](https://reneeswope.com/higlights-of-this-week-winners-from/) - I don't know about your house, but it's pre-summer craziness around here! It's a challenge being a mom in May isn't it? With year-end school activities, weddings, graduations, proms, exams, a toddler who wants to be outside playing with the hose all day and oh yea, I have a job and a book release coming.
- [Happy Mother's Day!  FREE Mom Message DOWNLOAD](https://reneeswope.com/happy-mothers-day-free-mom-message/) - I've been SO touched and blessed reading your stories and hearing how Jesus encouraged your hearts through my "Sometimes I just Wanna Quit" devotion and then how you responded with over 500 comments here and on my facebook page after Finding Meaning in the Monotony of Motherhood" was more than I've ever received in one
- [Finding Meaning in the Monotony](https://reneeswope.com/finding-meaning-in-monotony/) - It had been a really terrible, awful, hard day. So hard that I sat and cried. And yet, it brought me to the end of myself. And that was a good thing. When I finished crying, I sat down to do some work and happened upon a story about Andrew Carnegie that completely changed my perspective
- [If only I had known...](https://reneeswope.com/would-you-have-considered-yourself/) - Would you have considered yourself a confident teen? Oh, how I wish I could “yes.” Confidence. It's what I needed most and had the least. Sometimes I wish I could rewind the clock and tell my 14-year old self what she needed to know to have lasting confidence. Do you ever think to yourself, "If
- [Through our emptines we find His fullness](https://reneeswope.com/in-my-emptines-i-find-his-fulness/) - Tears dripped down my cheeks as I read each word. I recognized them as my own. Stories of twenty very different from all walks of life are reading my book before it is released . The work He's doing in each heart, and in each life, is the same work He did in me before
- [WINNER - Confident Heart Friendship Gift Pack](https://reneeswope.com/winner-confident-heart-friendship-gift/) - The winner of my Confident Heart Friendship Gift Pack which includes an advanced copy of my new book A Confident Heart to read and share with a friend and a $10 Starbuck's Gift Card to share with a friend while you connect face-to-face and heart-to-heart over coffee, tea or dessert....is Brandi. And if you didn't
- [Confident Heart Friendship Gift Pak](https://reneeswope.com/confident-heart-friendhip-gift-pak/) - “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another..." Hebrews 10:25a I sometimes wonder if I am one of the "some" that are mentioned in this verse. Oh I go to church. I worship, take notes and hang out in the lobby chit-chatting.
- [Will I see Him?](https://reneeswope.com/will-i-see-him/) - Yesterday my friend Holly had a very soul-stirring, thought-provoking, heart-moving devotion that was featured in our P31 Encouragement for Today. Not sure if you saw it, but I can't stop thinking about it. Holly helps me see Jesus. Holly stirs up my longing to look for Him at every turn in my day, in every
- [I wish I could give each of you a copy!](https://reneeswope.com/i-wish-i-could-each-of-you-copy/) - The timing of your devotion could not be more perfect. I struggle with control issues and anxiety when I am faced wit the unknown. Sometimes my faith is so strong and at other times, so weak. I am learning, slowly and because of my own stubborn self, that God does not work in fear. He
- [Videos of Renee Speaking](https://reneeswope.com/hear-renee/) - The following is a message from my "Living Waters" womens conference in Draper, Utah, Fall 2010. Renee Swope - Part 2 from SMCC on Vimeo. Here is the closing of my message: Renee Swope - Part 3 from SMCC on Vimeo. This is a 2-minute sample of DVD clips from me speaking in Houston, TX
- [Unanswered Prayers](https://reneeswope.com/when-prayers-arent-answered/) - “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” Proverbs 3:5 (NIV) My sweet friend, author and P31 speaker, Wendy Blight, has a devotion featured through Encouragement for Today that I wanted to share with you. Many of you receive our devotions via email each day. But as I read it again this morning, I sensed
- [Give-aways, Scholarships and Other P31 News](https://reneeswope.com/give-aways-scholarships-and-other-p31/) - We're celebrating the first day of April with give-aways and exciting news today at P31! Our She Speaks 2011 Conference is already 2/3 full, which is a record breaker for us! If you are coming, be sure to sign up before our early bird registration ends April 15th or we sell out. Which ever comes
- [Two More She Speaks Scholarships](https://reneeswope.com/two-more-she-speaks-scholarships/) - Two more women I deeply love and learn from have been given the opportunity to offer two more She Speaks scholarships. Please click here and here to find out more. Praying to see many of you at She Speaks 2011!!
- [You are invited!](https://reneeswope.com/its-no-secret/) - There's a blog party Bible study going on over at my friend Melissa Taylor's blog, and we are invited!! I met Melissa over 12 years ago through church where she and I served together in womens ministry. A few years later, she joined the family at Proverbs 31 as a speaker and eventually became part
- [A Winner & More About How You Can & Why You Should Attend She Speaks](https://reneeswope.com/winner-more-about-how-you-can-and-why/) - "So I totally have a knot in my stomach as I write this, because even signing up for the possibility to win a scholarship to this conference scares the living daylights out of me. I want to attend this conference to learn more about how to be the woman and leader God wants me to
- [The Heart Behind the Scholarships - Introducing Cecil Murphey](https://reneeswope.com/heart-behind-scholarships-cecil-murphey/) - Your stories, your entries and your nominations for others to win the WM Leadership Scholarship to She Speaks have been like finding rare treasure to me and my selection team!! I have four friends who are also leaders that will be serving on the Women's Ministry Leadership track at She Speaks in July who are
- [She Speaks - Women's Ministry Leadership Scholarship](https://reneeswope.com/she-speaks-womens-ministry-leadership/) - Our 2011 She Speaks conference registration is underway! Each year the conference fills up and we're already a third full. But there is still room for you, so keep reading! As Director of the Women's Ministry Leadership track at She Speaks, I've been given the amazing opportunity to give away one of several Cecil Murphey
- [Last Week's Winners](https://reneeswope.com/last-weeks-winners/) - My What Do You Crave? winner is Carolyn, who posted at 11:59am on this give-away post. You'll be receiving: A "Made to Crave" bundle valued at over $45. It includes the Made to Crave book, DVD set and participant's guidePlease email your mailing address to Renee@Proverbs31.org. My Encouraging Words Wednesday winner is. Kristen Marie!! You
- [Encouraging Words Wednesday](https://reneeswope.com/encouraging-words-wednesday/) - "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (NIV) Have you ever wanted to silence the voices of your fears? In my Encouragement for Today devotion at Proverbs 31 Ministries, I shared how I learned to do
- [What do you crave?](https://reneeswope.com/what-do-you-crave/) - Welcome to all of you stopping by after seeing JJ and me on the Made to Crave Webcast RE-Airs today. On the set of "Made to Crave" webcast. After the first webcast aired in January, we received questions and stories from viewers. Here are some video clips of us answering those questions and sharing more of
- [Living Loved Give-away Winners](https://reneeswope.com/living-loved-give-away-winners/) - LeeBird atPrayerGiftsyou are the winner of 2 Free BibleLife coaching sessions 30 days of spiritual mentoring with Sheri Rose You keep one session and give one away! Laurie (Hawaiilaurieann) you are the winner of an extra Free BibleLife coaching session Sheri so graciously decided to give away, too! Jaymie at JustMe Jaymie, you are the
- [Living "Loved"](https://reneeswope.com/living-loved/) - I have something really important to tell you today. Lean in close. Really let this get past your self-doubts and into those assurance-seeking places in your heart... God is absolutely crazy about you! Yes you. The beautiful one sitting there looking at the screen. I know it's hard to believe sometimes, but it's true. You
- [Big Smiles, Big News & a little Linky Love](https://reneeswope.com/big-smiles-big-news-little-linky-love/) - Just popping in to say "hello" and share this sweet blessing from our family's everyday life. Aster-berry's squinchy smile and crazy-beautiful hair is one of our morning delights. I hope her sweetness bring joys to your heart today. Big news on the home front is that I've got my manuscript for "A Confident Heart" in
- [You are Significant...right where you are!](https://reneeswope.com/encouraged-in-heart-united-in-love/) - My life doesn’t have purpose. I wish I had a spiritual gift or ability that made a difference. God can’t use me; I'm at home with my kids all day. I haven't been asked to serve on the retreat team. I guess I'm not good enough or smart enough. These thoughts used to chase me
- [Seeking Significance ( and our 4 winners!)](https://reneeswope.com/searching-for-significance/) - Never envy a significant place of service. Instead, make the place you serve significant. ~Rick Warren Woke up this morning trying to remember where I had put something, last year. So I went searching for notes and files I need to meet a She Speaks Conference deadline today. Ended up cleaning out a whole kitchen
- [Telling Ourselves the Truth (+ 2 Give-Aways)](https://reneeswope.com/words-paint-pictures-on-canvas-of-our/) - Welcome to my eastern NC HIS Radio friends stopping by after hearing me talk with Briney this afternoon during "drive-time." I'm so excited to have you join me here today! I've got a special guest I want you to meet, and some R3 Event tickets to give away, too. As I write this, I'm picturing
- [Just the Right Words at Just the Right Time](https://reneeswope.com/encouraging-words-gift-pak/) - When Leanne penned a note to her daughter's coach that day, she had no idea it would make such a huge difference in Jill Beran's life. She didn't know Jill was at her lowest point, where doubt and loneliness had lead her into deep depression. With just the right words, God spoke courage and hope
- [Monday Musings](https://reneeswope.com/monday-musings/) - This morning as I started a new day and a new week, you were on my mind. I don't know what it's like at your house, but Monday can be a little overwhelming for me. Looking at the week ahead with a calendar crowded by penciled in deadlines and appointments, my attention darts from one
- [Last Week's Winners](https://reneeswope.com/last-weeks-winners/) - It's time to announce some winners! I prayed for God to lead the choosing, closed my eyes and picked your names. Drum roll please... Congratulations Hannah, you are the winner of the Made to Crave bundle from comments on this post and this one, too. Your Made to Crave bundle includes a book, DVD set
- [Made to Crave Q&A with Renee & JJ Swope](https://reneeswope.com/made-to-crave-q-with-renee-jj-swope/) - Thank you for entrusting us with your "Made to Crave " stories, struggles and questions. We are honored to pray this week for each of you and what you shared. We had a hard time choosing between your great questions. So, we picked the most common ones this time. We didn't go over our answers
- [Discerning God Voice - Part 2](https://reneeswope.com/how-do-i-know-if-its-god-voice-pt-2/) - Welcome "Made to Crave" webcast friends! I pray God encouraged you tonight through Lysa's message, Dr. Chilton's nuggets of eating and exercise wisdom, or something JJ and I shared about our "cravings" that are drawing us closer to God and each other. If you missed the webcast, you can watch it Tuesday at 12, 3,
- [How Do I Know if it's God Speaking to Me?](https://reneeswope.com/how-do-i-know-if-its-god-speaking-to-me/) - UPDATE: Hi sweet friends! You moved me with your response to my devotion and your stories, questions and more. I've been praying for you as I read your comments. So many thoughts rush into my mind - things I'd love for us to process together. Please know I haven't forgotten to come back and write
- [Give God your Whispering Thoughts](https://reneeswope.com/give-god-your-whispering-thoughts/) - I've needed to take a little blog break to review my book manuscript for final edits, but it's taking much longer than I expected. It's due Friday. Like most of the southeast, we got LOTS of snow Monday, and the kids have been out of school all week due to ice on the roads still.
- [Living Like We're HIS!](https://reneeswope.com/lets-live-like-were-his/) - I took these pictures this afternoon. As I looked at my little girl and her daddy, hope welled up in my heart. And these words became my prayer for us this year... I pray this new year will be filled with countless moments and lots of lingering memories, just sitting in our Daddy's lap...enjoying Him.And
- [Letting God Fill the Empty Places in My Heart](https://reneeswope.com/letting-god-fill-empty-places-in-my/) - I have a give-away and a special "welcome" for new friends hopping over from my Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion. I hope you'll make yourself comfortable and stay a while. Before we get started, I wanted to show you my book cover!! I can't believe the cover is in catalogs and the book will be on
- [Another Winner & Favorite Christmas Traditions](https://reneeswope.com/another-winner-favorite-christmas/) - I have loved reading through your favorite Christmas traditions from my "Simply Celebrating a Christ Centered Christmas" post. Thank you so much for taking time to share those with us!! Now, it's time to announce the winner of "Celebrating a Christ-Centered Christmas" by Sharon Jaynes. Congratulation to the bloggy friend who posted: One of my
- [A Confident Heart Gift Pack WINNER!!](https://reneeswope.com/confident-heart-gift-pack-winner/) - Our "Confident Heart Gift Pack" winner is Margo Cole! Please send your mailing address to Renee@Proverbs31.org so we can get your gift mailed out after the holidays. Margo, your "Confident Heart Gift Pack" includes: a 45minute DVD message that my 2min video clip was taken from so you can hear the whole story, along with my
- [Merry Christmas (and Happy New Year)!](https://reneeswope.com/merry-christmas/) - We weren't quite able to get the Christmas family photo we were hoping for. I think we'll try again tonight before our Christmas Eve service. Christmas Eve is just as special to me as Christmas. Tonight after we worship Jesus together with family and friends, (if life goes according to my plans which it rarely
- [We've got a Winner!](https://reneeswope.com/weve-got-winner/) - Thank you so much to each of you for sharing the gift of encouragement with friends and family from my devotion"Unwrapping His Christmas Presence" and blog post last Tuesday! I was so touched by your stories and how much you participated in giving the gift of Immanuel, our God with us!I wish you all could
- [Simply Celebrating a Christ-Centerd Christmas](https://reneeswope.com/seeking-simply-christ-centerd-christmas/) - Earlier this week I wrote about the Christmas that I got overwhelmed by preparations and tangled up in unrealistic expectations. I never wanted to have that kind of Christmas again so I decided to get intentional about making Jesus the center of my attention each December that followed. And it's made a big difference. The
- [Happy Birthday Princess!](https://reneeswope.com/happy-birthday-princess/) - Today is also my sweet baby girl's birthday and even though I'm sick, I just have to share some of her sweetness with you! We started our morning with a Princess Spa Bath (she loves a bubble bath). You'd never know she also has a bad cold. That girl is so full of joy, she
- [A Party Postponed](https://reneeswope.com/party-postponed/) - Hi friends. I'm in urgent care waiting to see a doctor for a really yucky cold that turned into an upper respiratory infection. I've been sick since Sunday and I'm getting worse every day. Today I feel awwwwful. I'm scheduled to speak in WV tomorrow night at a Christmas event, so I'm really sad about
- [When a Wanna-be Decides She's Gonna Be!](https://reneeswope.com/when-wanne-be-decides-shes-gonna-be/) - I'm getting ready to hop on a plane to St Charles, Louisiana where I'll be speaking at the Trinity Baptist Church women's conference tonight and tomorrow, and I'd love to meet you there if you can join us! I'm so excited to be headed south to my original home state. Did you know I'm a
- [I'm Not a Cooker  ( and A Give-away!)](https://reneeswope.com/im-not-cooker-give-away/) - This is my friend LeAnn Rice. She's an amazing woman, mom, servant leader, friend, and so much more. She's one of the most beautiful people I know - inside and out! She loves like Jesus in every way. And she's an incredible cooker! Cookers are the kind of people who like to cook. I'm not
- [What do you see?](https://reneeswope.com/woman-in-mirror/) - What do you see when you look in the mirror? Do you notice something beautiful about the woman who glances back at you? Or is it hard to see past what you focus on as flaws? I've been challenged by these thoughts lately. When I look in the mirror, my eyes tend to immediately notice
- [Discerning God's Voice](https://reneeswope.com/when-god-speaks-to-wanna-be-she-decides/) - Let's keep talking about listening to God today. In case you wonder why there are food photos on my blog, it's because God's been talking to me in the kitchen lately - showing me things about myself that I didn't know. Like the fact that I've been held back for years by my tendency to
- [Listening To God](https://reneeswope.com/living-in-hear-now/) - Welcome friends! Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to visit. If you found your way here through my P31 Encouragement for Today devotion, "Living in the Hear and Now," I'm so glad you stopped by. I hope you'll stay a while and make yourself comfortable. One of my deepest desires is
- [Divine Secrets (& Friday's Give-Away!)](https://reneeswope.com/friends-i-just-have-to-tell-you/) - Sweet friends, you have spoken my love language this week with your words of encouragement!!!! Thank you for taking time to leave a comment and especially for sharing how God spoke to you specifically. My favorite was to read something specific that you read in a post and how it answered a question that's been
- [This is Thanksgiving](https://reneeswope.com/this-is-thanksgiving/) - I love Thanksgiving!! I love that just before Christmas there's a pause that reminds me give thanks for each of my blessings. I love that it's a pause wrapped in tradition. Tradition that surrounds me with family, friends and food that make me feel cozy inside. Ever since we got married, on Thanksgiving morning we'd
- [Last Week's Winners](https://reneeswope.com/last-weeks-winners/) - Thanks so much to all of you who joined in our conversation about Listening to God. If you missed it click here and here. I'm enjoying reading through your thoughts and questions again, and will be sharing more of mine on this topic in the coming weeks. Sorry it took me a while to announce our
- [Still Rocking, a winner and a BIG sale!](https://reneeswope.com/still-rocking-winner-and-big-sale/) - We're back from the Girl's Get-Away cruise, but it doesn't quite feel like it. Well, except for the fact that I need to cook food for my family to eat now. Did you know your body keeps rocking after being on a cruise? I still feel like I'm on the high seas. Maybe it's because
- [Another Great Friday Give-Away!](https://reneeswope.com/friday-give-aways/) - Have your kids or someone else you love been hurt by others? It's so hard, isn't it?. The worst is when they are teased, rejected, bullied or ignored. This momma bear has a hard time when someone threatens her bear cubs. My first instinct is to rescue them. Now that they're teenagers, I can't. My
- [Parenting Gift Pak Winner & Last Chance for BIG SALE!](https://reneeswope.com/parenting-gift-pak-winner-last-chance/) - The winner of Glynnis Whitwer's book, "When Your Child is Hurting" is Debbie F. who commented at 12:04pm. Debbie, Glynnis will send you an autographed copy along with a weekly reminder pad that includes a scripture verse on each page.And I'll be sending you a copy of my new parenting message on CD entitled "The
- [Beauty Words or Wounds?](https://reneeswope.com/i-love-her-hair/) - "Wow, she's got great hair!" she told me. We were strangers, but the color of this beautiful African American woman's skin matched that of my daughter's so that made us kin. Standing at the finish line of our sons' cross country race, we waited while our little girls giggled together. I was thrilled that I'd
- [Life-Changing Friendships & a Book Give-Away!](https://reneeswope.com/life-changing-friendships-friday-give/) - Has a friend ever spoken words that reshaped your perspective of yourself, for good? Have you ever been blessed to meet someone who saw something in you that you couldn't see in yourself? When another woman speaks encouragement into our hearts, the course of our lives can be changed forever. And when we believe in
- [Friday's Give-Away!](https://reneeswope.com/fridays-give-away/) - Last year I was given a copy of Angela Thomas' "My Single Mom Life" to give away on my blog. I read it first and, although I'm not a single mom, couldn't put it down. Her girl-friendy style, humor and deep love for Jesus captivated my heart and fueled my desire to live an amazing
- [A Year of Happily Ever Aster!](https://reneeswope.com/year-of-happily-ever-aster/) - This month we celebrate a year with our princess! These first two photos were taken at the orphanage during the first few minutes of our first time with her. October 2009 November 2009 December 2009 December 2009 January 2010 February 2010March 2010 April 2010 May 2010 June 2010July 2010 August 2010 September 2010 Aster gives
- [Extended](https://reneeswope.com/extended/) - Tuesday's Update: The post I planned for today has lots of photos so it takes extra time which I'm short on today cause I'm running around getting everything ready for our whole family to leave tomorrow for the Girls Get-Away cruise! I know, what crazy woman would choose to bring a 2yr old and the
- [Renee's Resources](https://reneeswope.com/resources/) - The 7-day Doubt Diet Are ready to lose the weight of discouragement and self-doubt? Be sure to sign up for "The 7-Day Doubt Diet" in my sidebar. It will be available beginning June 27th. Here's what it's all about: The 7-Day Doubt Diet A free Devotional Companion for A Confident Heart Filled with daily insights,
- [Resources](https://reneeswope.com/resources/) - New message on CD The Power of a Purpose-Driven Mom Are your days filled with purpose or are you easily detoured by the urgent and unexpected? Do you wonder if all you do really matters? Join Renee for a look at why moms struggle to find meaning in the monotony of motherhood and how we
- [Fridays Give-Aways!](https://reneeswope.com/fridays-give-aways/) - I'm heading to Princeton, West Virginia today to speak at Fairview Christian Community Church's women's conference tonight and tomorrow, and I can't wait. They raise all of the money for this event so they can offer free admission to 300+ women. I'd love to meet you there if you are in that area. I cannot
- [Finding Confidence by Conqering Clutter](https://reneeswope.com/behind-closed-doors/) - Cleaning out the clutter in my kitchen and behind those closed bathroom cabinet doors has been like an energy drink for my soul! Accomplishing what seemed impossible gave me me confidence to take on more! I took Glynnis' great advice for the area under my bathroom sink and look at the difference it made: [BEFORE]
- [Under the Sink](https://reneeswope.com/under-sink/) - Things are about to get really personal and a little more embarrassing for me here. It's one thing to confess my cluttered counter tops. It's a whole other thing to well, um, let you see under the sink in my bathroom. My best friends don't even see that part of my house. This is where
- [Living Clutter-Free (and Fridays Give-Aways!)](https://reneeswope.com/living-clutter-free-and-fridays-give/) - Welcome to my kitchen! After showing you my cluttered counter top along with the cabinet above my piles and overstuffed files... I decided to do something about it. I was so tired of how it made me feel. Also, I hated feeling like I'd never have time to organize all those papers, receipts and bills.
- [Finishing What I Started](https://reneeswope.com/finishing-what-i-started/) - I love a sense of completion. I will work myself past midnight to finish what I started, and it bugs me when I can't. Today, I'm letting go of my love for completion. But I'm not pretending it's easy. God's teaching me to welcome interruptions in my plans to make room for His divine purposes.
- [Wednesday's Winner](https://reneeswope.com/wednesdays-winner/) - And the winner of Wednesday's post drawing for Karen Ehman's book "The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized", and some organizational pretties which include another 6 of those cute folders is... Devona who said..."Wow - this has been speaking to my heart since last week. A family crisis and ongoing stress at work have
- [Getting & Staying Organized](https://reneeswope.com/getting-staying-organized/) - I posted something short earlier, but God's been nudging me to come back and invite you to be part of something He's laid on my heart. If you knew that having more order in your home would bring more order to your world - freeing up your time, emotions, thougths and spiritual gifts to do
- [And the winner is...](https://reneeswope.com/and-winner-is/) - Thank you so much to ALL 115 of you who left a comment on Friday's Give-away. Your transparency about your struggles with being unorganized really meant a lot to me and others. Oh how I wish I could give each of you a copy of Karen's book - "The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying
- [Confessions of Cluttered Countertops, Cabinets & Closets](https://reneeswope.com/confessions-of-cluttered-countertops/) - This is one of the most unorganized areas in my house that makes me crazy! My head feels cluttered just looking at it, wondering what is buried in there. This counter top is the catch all for everything - mail, bills, receipts, school papers, phones, grocery lists, forms, broken things that need to be glued
- [Like a Box of Chocolates - Fridays GiveAway](https://reneeswope.com/life-is-like-box-of-chocolates/) - Have you ever pictured what your week was going to look like but when you got to Friday you wondered what happened? That's me this week. I had so many plans and projects. I'd even written a few blog posts - in my head. And somewhere in my posts, I was going to drop a
- [Fridays Give-Aways!](https://reneeswope.com/friday-give-aways/) - Congratulations! You have won an autographed copy of Max Lucado’s Outlive Your Life from michaelhyatt.com. I hope you enjoy this incredible book! I just received an email with those words!! I'm so excited. I can't remember the last time I won something. I have a feeling I'm going to love this book and want to
- [Hearing with My Heart](https://reneeswope.com/listening-and-hearing/) - ********** Winner announced at the end of this post *************** The word "listen" is mentioned in the Bible over 400 times! I guess that means it's important to God. Listening is not one of my natural strengths but it's something I've really worked on because it's important to me, too. Listening is about more than
- [What I Fear Most as a Mom](https://reneeswope.com/what-i-fear-most-for-my-kids/) - I grew up with a lot of fears. Fear of abandonment. Fear of rejection. Fear of failure. Fear of my mom dying. Fear of flying. Fear of being raped. I carried the habit of fear with me into motherhood. I was one controlling little mama when my babies came along. But now my baby boys
- [Relying](https://reneeswope.com/relying/) - I'm running on fumes this morning, practicing my scripts for Proverbs 31 Ministries Radio recording that starts in an hour and getting the kids settled before I go. I woke up at 3am after a horrible nightmare that someone abducted Aster and we could not find her. I couldn't even breathe to get the words
- [Summer Vacation](https://reneeswope.com/its-been-fun-to-connect-with-so-many-of/) - I hope you are having or had a great summer! I can't believe it's almost over. The past two weeks, post She Speaks and book completion, have gone by so quickly. Although I had planned to blog, I needed/wanted to just hang out with my family and catch up on life at home and not
- [How did HE speak  at She Speaks?](https://reneeswope.com/how-did-he-speak-at-she-speaks/) - I am so eager to hear/read about the way God spoke to women at She Speaks this year. I know not all of you were at She Speaks, but if you were will you share your story with us? What was the highlight of your weekend? How did God show up in your life? What
- [I did it!!](https://reneeswope.com/i-met-my-book-deadline-this-past-monday/) - I met my book deadline this past Monday. I will never forget the feeling I had when I stood in Kinko's holding my whole manuscript in my hands. I did it!!! I wrote a book. Whooo Hooo! Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement. They meant the world to me. Many have asked
- [Almost Done and a Give-Away!](https://reneeswope.com/almost-done-and-give-away/) - **Update: Winner announced at bottom of this post!** I'm almost done!! Only 10 days to go and my first book will be finished!! WHOOHOOO!! I have until the morning of July 19th to place her in my publishers hands. This morning as I was thinking about how it will feel when I do that, it
- [The Gift of Hope](https://reneeswope.com/when-god-gives-hope/) - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope..."Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) Last year, on June 25th, God gave me the most precious gift of hope. He literally gave me a "Hope" - Hope TerKeurst, the oldest daughter of
- [Sail Away with Me...and some P31 girlfriends!](https://reneeswope.com/sail-away-with-meand-some-p31/) - Lysa TerKeurst is giving away a cruise package for 2 friends in partnership with Premiere's Cruises' Girlfriend Get-Away! If you win, you and a friend would be joining Lysa, Holly, Shari Braendel and me, along with almost 100 other P31 friends who’ve already signed up to sail. The cruise is October 14th-18th and sets sail
- [Fun, Fun, Fun!!](https://reneeswope.com/fun-fun-fun/) - There is a big bloggy party with incredible give-aways going on over at www.LysaTerKeurst.com You don't want to miss it, trust me!!
- [When Life Takes a Toll on You](https://reneeswope.com/i-pray-that-you-are-doing-well-and/) - As you may have noticed, I've had to cut back on blogging. Honestly, I've had to cut back almost everything except sleeping, exercising, reading my Bible, praying and eating. God is taking me through a season of Him restoring my heart, body and soul after being completely wiped out this Spring. It was an intense
- [Congratulations Marybeth!!](https://reneeswope.com/congratulations-marybeth/) - The kids will be out in a few short days. We have two year-end assemblies and two year-end parties this week! Summer is around the corner. It's must be time to go to the beach or spend a few afternoons at the pool...and I have the perfect book to read while you do! My friend,
- [Where I am From](https://reneeswope.com/where-i-am-from/) - No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. I John 4:12 (NAS) When I became a mom for the first time, 15 years ago today, I was overwhelmed. Not just by the amount of time and attention my baby
- [Aster's first playdate](https://reneeswope.com/asters-first-playdate/) - Aster had her first "play" date recently. We have some friends who are both from Ethiopia and they let us watch their son one Saturday, a few weeks ago. It was fun to have two little ones and watch them play together. Andrew was right there in the middle of them. Isn't that the sweetest
- [Final She Speaks scholarship give-away!!](https://reneeswope.com/final-she-speaks-scholarship-give-away/) - Wow, can you believe it!? Cecil Murphy is giving away one final scholarship (that will be 10 total!) to She Speaks 2010!! Please visit our P31 home page today for more details!! {http://www.proverbs31.org/}
- [Sunsets, picnic blankets & Sunday afternoons](https://reneeswope.com/what-fills-you-up/) - I came home tired and spilled out from an amazing women's conference in Illinois. We were all tired but JJ had read Aster's post and knew I wanted to celebrate, so we got creative yet kept it sweet and simple. Since the boys had youth group, JJ and I decided to take Aster out on
- [The wave](https://reneeswope.com/its-me-again/) - Hi!! Mommy wanted me to leave you a quick note and give you the wave. That is what I do to say hi to people. But I don't really wave. I just hold up my hand. Mommy's been traveling some this week telling lots of women about Jesus because she loves Him so much. She
- [When God Makes a Way](https://reneeswope.com/when-god-makes-way/) - This morning, God made a way for Cindy Huax at "From Seeds to Sunflowers." to attend She Speaks by winning our scholarship. I am so excited for Cindy!! But, I'm also sad there could only be one winner after getting to know so many of you through your entries. We had 300 pages of blog
- [Another SHE SPEAKS scholarship give-away!!](https://reneeswope.com/another-she-speaks-scholarship-give/) - Proverbs 31 Ministries announced today that we're giving away another SHE SPEAKS scholarship from Cecil Murphy ! We thought it'd be fun to introduce you to our team who will be leading the conference, so we're hosting a carnival of P31 blogs. That's where we'll be sharing a personal story about being called to speak
- [E-Women Tickets & Coffee Winners](https://reneeswope.com/extraordinary-women-coffee-winners/) - I have good news and sad news. The good news is that I have finally had a chance to choose the winners through random integer. The sad news is that I can't go to the Ewomen conference this weekend. JJ (my husband) found out he has to travel Sunday afternoon through Tuesday night and I
- [Extraordinary Women, Extraordinary Weekend & a Monday Give-Away!](https://reneeswope.com/monday-give-away/) - I'm so excited! I had an extraordinary weekend, I am going to my first Extraordinary Women conference in 5 days, and I've got some fun stuff to give-away! I got to spend time this past weekend with some of the sweetest, Jesus-loving, extraordinary women in New York! But finding them wasn't easy. Extraordinary things never
- [Sometimes I Have to Boss My Heart Around](https://reneeswope.com/sometimes-i-have-to-boss-my-heart/) - I caught my heart heading to the pit of discouragement for Spring break last week. It was supposed to go to the beach with the rest of me and my family, but she had snuck some other plans into her itinerary. I was feeling overwhelmed, discouraged and pulled in a million directions. I'd gotten my
- [A Writer's Dream Come True](https://reneeswope.com/writers-dream-come-true/) - I wanted to share exciting news, First, I just read this on my friend Glynnis' blog: Have you ever had a dream? A dream that you tucked deep in your heart, and were afraid to even speak it? Every year women come to the Proverbs 31 Ministries She Speaks Conferencewith just such dreams.It may be
- [Easter Blessings and a Spring Break](https://reneeswope.com/easter-blessings-and-spring-break/) - Although I imagined Aster's first Easter photos with her standing in green grass surrounded by tulips and daffodils, the best picture we captured was our little angel laying on the floor at church. Is that some scrumptious sweetness or what? I could just eat her up! I love that she is so comfortable at church.
- [The Wonder of Pink Ruffles and God's  Love](https://reneeswope.com/happily-ever-aster-wonder-of-pink/) - Hi, it's me again posting as a guest blogger for my mommy! I was just wondering, "Have you ever felt beautiful?" If not, I suggest you go get yourself a pretty pink ruffly outfit! It makes a girl feel pretty no matter what! Now mommy says we're all beautiful even without a pink outfit because
- [Special Guest Blogger](https://reneeswope.com/special-guest-blogger/) - Have you noticed my mommy hasn't been blogging as much lately? Me too. I don't know if she's told you, but she can't use her computer when I'm around because I like to hijack it! Forget all those baby toys, there's nothing like computer keys and screens. First I sneak my fingers on the lid
- [She Speaks Scholarship Contest!](https://reneeswope.com/there/) - Have you ever had a dream in your heart to lead women to closer to the heart of God? Maybe through your blog, your testimony or a Bible study you lead? Or maybe over coffee or the water cooler? Has God put a desire in your heart to share the story of His amazing grace
- [When the Pain of My Past Makes Me Question God's Plans for My Future](https://reneeswope.com/god-knows-plans-he-has-for-you/) - God has a plan for your life. You were created for a purpose. God's is working everything together for good. What do these words evoke in your heart? Do you question their validity or do they make you want to stand up and shout, "I used to doubt that, but now I know it’s true!"
- [Everday Life](https://reneeswope.com/peak-into-your-everday-life/) - It's almost lunch time but I feel like I just woke up. Does daylight savings time throw you off?? Whew, it takes me a week to get back to normal! How was your weekend? Leah and I flew to Knoxville, TN Friday morning for the WINGS women's conference in Sevierville where I was speaking this
- [When Disappointment Leads to Anger, Insecurity and Unmet Expectations](https://reneeswope.com/seeking-security-in-happily-ever-after/) - Thank you so much to all of you who have signed up to be part of the "Confident Heart" prayer team. You touched my heart with your words and your willingness to join me in this God-sized adventure. We're creating our group email list and will be in touch early next week! I'm praying for
- [Marriage Give-Away](https://reneeswope.com/marriage-give-away/) - UPDATE - WINNER ANNOUNCED - CONGRATULATIONS! Betty Jones Hodge, you are the winner of a free Marriage Conference Call with Proverbs 31 Ministries. Please send me your phone number, email and I'll have Melissa from the office send you the call-in information!************************************** After sharing earlier today about my struggles in my marriage I wanted to
- [A Wing and a Prayer](https://reneeswope.com/wing-and-prayer/) - "Let me find refuge and trust in the shelter of Your wings." Psalm 61:4b (Amp) Today I'm asking God to help me find shelter under His wings. I'm being stretched to believe I can rest in God's sovereignty and choose inactivity (on my part). Instead of working on something I need to do, God's challenging
- [Want to help me out and win a $20 Gift Card?](https://reneeswope.com/want-to-help-sista-and-win-starbucks-or/) - Okay, so most of you know I'm in the process of writing a book. My first book! Just last week my publisher chose my suggested title, and I just about jumped out of my chair! I hope you like it as much as I do. You ready? Drum roll please… A Confident Heart I love
- [Videos of Renee Speaking](https://reneeswope.com/hear-renee/) - Here is a 2-minute sample of DVD clips from Renee speaking in Houston, TX at the KSBJ Girl's Night Out. The following parenting story was filmed for the 2009 D6 Conference where Renee was a main stage speaker, along with Angela Thomas, George Barna, John Trent, Jim Daly and many others. If you would would
- [The Power of Hope](https://reneeswope.com/power-of-hope/) - My heart is so full from all that I want to share here today. Will you grab some coffee or hot cocoa and hang out here with me for a little while? But before we get started and it's too late, I first wanted to make sure you download your FREE COPY OF "Scared", by
- [Finding a Quiet Place, a free book & coffee to go with it!](https://reneeswope.com/quiet-place-free-book-and-coffee-to-go/) - "Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’" ~Mark 6:31 I love Jesus' invitation. He gives me permission to pull away from the needs that pull on
- [Sometimes I expect too much.](https://reneeswope.com/sometimes-i-expect-too-muchof-myself/) - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29 We're heading to FL this evening for the RENEW women's conference in
- [This Week's Winners](https://reneeswope.com/this-weeks-winners/) - Monday - Love Devotion winner - "Living the Love Dare" winner is Mary Lynn; Timestamp 10:59 AM ml4estsmom@yahoo.com Tuesday - Carnival Winner #1- Lysa's TerKeurst's "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD teaching. The winner is KFrost; Timestamp: 10:42PM frost51@suddenlink.net Tuesday - Carnival Winner #2 - Renee Swope's message "Living Beyond the Shadow
- [Carnival of Give-Aways](https://reneeswope.com/carnival/) - Today, the P31 Team is celebrating with a Carnival of Give-Aways, and we are inviting you to join us! I'm celebrating the release of our first ever Bible Study DVD teaching at Proverbs 31 Ministries - taught by one of my closest friends and soul sisters as well as President of our ministry - Lysa
- [Love the Ones You're With](https://reneeswope.com/love-ones-youre-with/) - “Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11 (NIV) One night my family was all snuggled on the couch eating popcorn and watching a movie. We were spending quality time together but then I got distracted. I was still there physically but I started returning phone calls and
- [Winter Get-Away](https://reneeswope.com/winter-get-away/) - Our family packed up yesterday and headed to the NC mountains!! We'll be here all week skiing, playing in the snow and snuggling by the fire. I am going to "unplug" from the internet and totally plug into time with my family. I am so looking forward to this little winter get-away. It's absolutely beautiful
- [A Time to Give (and maybe receive, too)!](https://reneeswope.com/time-to-give-and-maybe-receive-too/) - My Sweet Friends ~ As you know, God calls each of us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. He calls us to serve the least of these. He calls us to... "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves" (Proverbs 31:8) I am very proud to partner with Compassion International as they
- [Worry, worship and a new GPS system](https://reneeswope.com/when-its-one-of-those-days/) - Today is one of those days where the number of things I need to get done is much greater than the number of hours in my day. This morning when I woke up, I knew I had a choice - worry or worship. I didn't want to worry about the hows and whens. I wanted
- [A strong oak or a pitiful pine?](https://reneeswope.com/planting-of-lord/) - Before Christ, I felt like a weak and wimpy pine tree. Tossed by the winds of my emotions. Defined by my circumstances. Uprooted by life's storms. Despair was my story. But in CHRIST...I am rooted in God's love. With CHRIST... I am strengthened by life's storms and transformed by trials. Because of CHRIST...I am an
- [Winner of my gift card give-away](https://reneeswope.com/winner-of-my-gift-card-give-away/) - The winner of my gift card give-away is...Lindsey. I'll be in touch Lindsey to get your mailing address and find out where you'd like to go with your gift card - Bath& Body Works, Starbucks or Target? All of your comments were so amazingly beautiful, real and very insightful. Thanks for being willing to share
- [It's His goodness that makes us good enough!](https://reneeswope.com/its-his-goodness-that-makes-us-good/) - My friend Gary one time referred to doubt as a bully, and it really caught my attention. What he shared resonated with my heart. Here is what I read on his blog: "My daughter Emily got me thinking of one of my bullies. I hate him. He’s sneaky and he lies. When I get busy
- [When doubt whispers, "You're not good enough."](https://reneeswope.com/when-doubt-whispers-youre-not-good/) - Sometimes I’ll be thinking about something I want to do or something I sense God calling me to, and all of a sudden a feeling of doubt washes over me and whispers to my heart, "You can't do that. You're not good enough." Out of the blue. I'll just get that awful, insecure sense of
- [Pretty in Pink](https://reneeswope.com/pretty-in-pink/) - As I look at my beautiful little girl that is getting so big, I'm overwhelmed with thankfulness that she is ours. Today I was captured by her pretty-in-pink cuteness, her contagious joy and her sweet smile. WOW! The difference we see in her from the day we met her at the orphanage is remarkable. Watching
- [Sometimes I wanna...QUIT](https://reneeswope.com/sometimes-i-wanna-quit/) - Do you ever have expectations that go unmet? Desires unfulfilled? Efforts that aren't accomplishing what you are working so hard for? And you just end up worn out from it all. That happened to me last week. So many of you have asked about my birthday and I didn't want to tell you, but it
- [Favorite Things - WINNERS!](https://reneeswope.com/favorite-things-winners-announced/) - I loved reading all the ways you all like to spend your birthday. I will never lack for ideas again. Ya'll do some great things to celebrate your lives and I love it! I wish I could give you each a gift, but since I can't I had to pick only two winners. And they
- [A Few of My Favorite Things Give-Away](https://reneeswope.com/few-of-my-favorite-things/) - Today is my birthday, and I have so much to celebrate!!!! But I have had the hardest time figuring out how I'd like to spend this special day. For some reason, I don't want to be pampered. I know, call me crazy. I'm sure it's only temporary. My family and co-workers can't figure me out.
- [Extreme Encouragement](https://reneeswope.com/extreme-encouragement/) - I believe that all of us need encouragement. I know I do. I am wondering today what is one area of your life where you need encouragement most? I have a reason for asking. First, I'd like to pray for you and at the end of this post, you can let me know how. Second,
- [Aster's 1st Birthday!](https://reneeswope.com/asters-1st-birtday/) - On December 1st, we celebrated Aster first birthday and in the midst of all we've had going on I never did post about it! It was such a special celebration. Mom had just been home from the hospital for a few days and was doing so much better. Aster hadn't even been ours for 2
- [Seeing My Child Through God's Eyes](https://reneeswope.com/celebrating-my-can-do-kid/) - I woke up this morning feeling kinda sad because my baby boy is 12-YEARS-OLD today!!! I know I should be celebratin,g but he'll be a teenager in a year. And he was my giggly, sweet toddler just yesterday. I decided instead of mourning my baby's movement towards teen-age-ville, I needed to thank God for all
- [I am working on your behalf...](https://reneeswope.com/i-am-working-on-your-behalf/) - "I am working on your behalf. Bring Me all your concerns, including your dreams. Talk with Me about everything, letting the Light of My Presence shine on your hopes and plans. Spend time allowing My Light to infuse your dreams with life, gradually transforming them into reality. This is a very practical way of collaborating
- [Get in the Game](https://reneeswope.com/we-were-on-our-way-to-school-this/) - We were on our way to school this morning when I noticed dark clouds in the distance. I told Andrew it looked like it was going to rain today. He said he was glad because that meant they wouldn't have recess outside. It surprised me that he'd want it to rain. Earlier this year it
- [The Interview and the Winners!](https://reneeswope.com/interview/) - I love your insights and ideas about parents being involved in their kids' spiritual lives. I have some special guest bloggers stopping by soon to share their perspectives and stories - maybe even a few author interviews, too. And best of all I've got more book give-aways sponsored by D6 and a big announcement about
- [Twas the Week before Christmas](https://reneeswope.com/twas-week-before-christmas/) - Twas the week before Christmas, and all through my house there were cameras and lights and a sick child on the couch. There was talking, and laughing and Tylenol too. Josh had come home from school sick with a high fever - what if he had the flu? I was supposed to be in Texas
- [All in a day...](https://reneeswope.com/all-in-day/) - My heart feels ready and so does my home. I spent all day shopping for food and gifts yesterday.Today has been spent with friends and now I am back to share photos from last week's adventures. I can't believe it's already been a week since we got back. Here are a few of the fun
- [Getting Ready...](https://reneeswope.com/getting-ready/) - It's a little hard to believe that it's the day before Christmas Eve. These Holy days have gone by so quickly but I'm finally enjoying them. This week I made myself slow down and find a rhythm in God's grace. Some things just aren't going to get done, and that's ok. Some things will get
- [A New Thing](https://reneeswope.com/new-thing/) - "Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare newthings; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you." Isaiah 42:9 (NAS) Have you ever had that feeling that God was doing a new thing but He hadn't revealed what it was yet? You just knew something was coming. And while you waited
- [More than I can Handle](https://reneeswope.com/more-than-i-can-handle/) - Today holds a little bit more than this girl feels like she can handle in one day. I have three guests arriving in two hours with video cameras, lights, electrical smetrical gadgets and interview questions! Matt Markins from the D6 Family ministry is flying in from Nashville, TN today. He's bringing a video/camera guy to
- [](https://reneeswope.com/welcome-to-those-of-you-hopping-over/) - Welcome to those of you hopping over from Karen's Ehmans 12 Days of Christmas give-away or from the P31 woman magazine article I had this month. I wanted to share with you a prayer I penned over the years after my crazy Christmas. I pray through it often during this busy time of year to
- [Looking for a great gift to give and receive?](https://reneeswope.com/looking-for-great-gift-to-give-and/) - As many of you know, my family has a heart for adoption and we're in the process of bringing home a daughter or two from Ethiopia. It's a very expensive process and many families who want to adopt aren't able because they don't have the funds. My friend Marybeth is doing a give-away on her
- [Marriage with No Regrets](https://reneeswope.com/marriage-with-no-regrets/) - I honored my husband last night by going to bed at 9:30pm. Believe me, I wanted to to stay up and determine the winners of my R-E-S-P-E-C-T give-away. And I wanted to finish decorating my Christmas tree because I was hosting the P31 staff Christmas party at my house this morning. But no announcements and
- [Cool Christmas Give-Away Winners](https://reneeswope.com/cool-christmas-give-away-winners/) - Thanks to all of you for being part of my Cool Christmas Give-Away this weekend. My special give-away winners: 59 43 53 3 Thanks to Random Integer generator. Timestamp: 2008-12-09 01:44:04 UTC # 59 Allison wins the $10 Target gift card or $10 Starbuck's gift car # 43 Shannon wins Susie Larson's - The Uncommon
- [More Cool Give-Aways](https://reneeswope.com/more-cool-give-aways/) - Today is the big day for me to announce the winner of "What Every Husband Needs from His Wife" from Wednesday's post. It's so hard to imagine only giving one of you this book. I want every one of you to win a copy! I told God about my little dilemna, and guess what? Late
- [All Things](https://reneeswope.com/blessed-is-she-who-believes/) - If you're stopping by from my devotion about honoring our husbands, welcome! I shared some true confessions yesterday about God working on my heart for years- showing me how to love my husband like He does. I also listed practical ways we can honor our men, and told about a great marriage book give-away on
- [R-E-S-P-E-C-T...that is what he needs from me!](https://reneeswope.com/r-e-s-p-e-c-tthat-is-what-he-needs-from/) - Okay, we're gonna get real here today! I have an embarrassing confession to make: When JJ and I got married 15 years ago, I took out the words "honor and obey" from my marriage vows. While I'm confessing, you should also know I didn't say I would submit to my husband either. I said I
- [No Place Like Home](https://reneeswope.com/no-place-like-home/) - JJ is doing so much better after his four-day stay in the hospital for Thanksgiving. I have a feeling being home has a lot to do with it (along with many, many prayers!!). He and the boys were joking and laughing Sunday night at the dinner table as he sipped his beef broth. It was
- [Knocked in the Noggin!](https://reneeswope.com/cover-girl-gets-knocked-in-noggin/) - You're not seeing double. That's my face in the same photo, two times today. Welcome to those of you who popped over from my interview for the cover of the December 2008 Christian Women Online magazine (e-zine). I'm so glad you stopped by! Now don't let that touched up cover photo fool you. I have
- [12 Days of Christmas Give-Away](https://reneeswope.com/12-days-of-christmas-give-away/) - If you'd like to find some great holiday ideas, easy recipes and have a chance to win both practical and pampering prizes, be sure to pop over to the blog of my friend and teammate, Karen Ehman. She'll be sharing Christmas favorites and traditions from a few of my other “sistas” from the Proverbs 31
- [Coming Home!!!](https://reneeswope.com/coming-home/) - We are thrilled to say that JJ is coming home from the hospital later day - a day earlier than predicted!!! yay He had a good nights rest with 3-4 hours of solid sleep. He's been walking the halls at the hospital, has had no pain meds for 24 hours and no IV fluids for
- [If it's not that, then what is it?](https://reneeswope.com/if-its-not-that-then-what-is-it/) - Thanks for stopping by! We've been in the hospital with JJ since Thanksgiving morning. To find out where this all started, scroll down to Thursday's post. We love reading your comments and prayers. It means so much to hear from family and friends walking this road with us! Saturday 1:30pm JJ ate a little bit
- [Happy Thanksgiving from the Emergency Room](https://reneeswope.com/happy-thanksgiving-from-emergency-room/) - Thursday Morning Hi friends,I don't know if anyone will read this today but if so, please say a prayer for my sweet husband, JJ. I woke up late this morning and found a sticky note saying he was driving himself to the Emergency Room. He said he wanted me to get some sleep and not
- [Greetings You Who are Highly Favored](https://reneeswope.com/greetings-you-who-are-highly-favored/) - Do you ever have days when you really don't want to get out of bed? Days when you wake up and the thought of all you have to do is just so overwhelming that you're not sure where to start. Maybe your list has sub-lists and your sub-lists have sticky notes. Or there are issues
- [What Matters Most](https://reneeswope.com/what-matters-most/) - Saying no can be really hard for me. There are two main reasons. Number one is that I don't want to miss something fun or miss seeing someone I'd like to hang out with at an event I don't really have time to go to. Number two is that I hate to disappoint people. What
- [Do I see life through my perspective or God's?](https://reneeswope.com/do-i-see-life-through-my-perspective-or/) - A few weeks ago we were at one of Andrew's soccer games. My mom came to watch him play and as we walked toward his field, she followed behind me. So here we are walking along when my mom asked me if I realized how red my hair is. She said I should get my
- [Brrrr...](https://reneeswope.com/brrrr/) - Right Now for Charlotte, NC Fair 35°F Feels Like 30°F We went running towards our goal tonight- in 35 (but it feels like 30) degree weather! I discovered that running in almost-below-freezing temperatures isn't as bad as I thought it would be; basically your legs go numb and you can't feel any pain! The boys
- [Running Towards a Common Goal](https://reneeswope.com/running-towards-common-goal/) - I can't believe I'm only three weeks away from my half-marathon. I really need to get another long run in this week - as in 10 miles. I didn't run while we were in New York nor this past weekend, and now my deadline is creeping up on me. My longest run has been 8
- [When my best intentions get me into my biggest troubles!!!](https://reneeswope.com/best-of-intentions-influence-and-honor/) - Andrew was having a hard time yesterday; he was really tired and wanted to escape into a computer game. But he had homework to do first. He struggled to stay focused, trying not to let me see the crocodile tears that dripped down his face. He didn't have that much homework. I knew something more
- [When "Odd" is Totally God](https://reneeswope.com/when-odd-is-totally-god/) - Yesterday afternoon I was on my way to a meeting with Lysa when I called my friend Holly from my cell phone. We were talking about where we could meet the next day so I could pick up something she needed me to take to the P31 office. Suddenly our call dropped. "That's odd," I
- [A Nun, A Lawyer or a Lunatic?](https://reneeswope.com/nun-lawyer-or-crazy-woman/) - We had the best time in New York. I just noticed that my legs are aching today, probably from all the walking we did. Climbing many flights of stairs and in back alleys, you ask? Nahhh! Just innocent street walking looking at purse carts and chasing down taxis to take us the opposite direction on
- [Caught Between the Moon and New York City](https://reneeswope.com/caught-between-moon-and-new-york-city/) - Here I am getting ready to take off. I am going to New York City with my frequent-flying friend who got bumped up to first class along with her oh so sweet assistant. Who by the way gave up her seat and made me take it so I could fly first class!! Is she not
- [A letter to my girls that were never mine](https://reneeswope.com/letter-to-my-girls-that-were-never-mine/) - Thanks for your prayers for all of us. JJ and the boys are handling our loss so much better than I am. I guess that's the advantage of being from the male species.You my friends have made me feel so understood! Your thoughts and prayers have been so comforting, so encouraging, so meaningful. Today was
- [I feel so sad...](https://reneeswope.com/i-feel-so-sad/) - We got a call last night from our adoption agency director. She left a message saying that somehow a miscommunication happened and a family from Germany is adopting the girls we thought we were adopting. Our agency, wasn't notified until they called to say we wanted to adopt the girls. I feel like I just
- [Speaking Topics](https://reneeswope.com/renee-speaks/) - "Renee is a passionate and gifted speaker who has the unique ability to connect with women in a way that is rare. I'm always inspired when I share the platform with Renee because after hearing her speak I know I will walk away with a new revelation from God. Besides being a very gifted teacher,
- [Speaking Topics](https://reneeswope.com/renee-speaks/) - "Renee is a passionate and gifted speaker who has the unique ability to connect with women in a way that is rare. I'm always inspired when I share the platform with Renee because after hearing her speak I know I will walk away with a new revelation from God. Besides being a very gifted teacher,
- [Beautiful Faces, Beautiful Hearts](https://reneeswope.com/beautiful-faces-beautiful-hearts/) - Ethiopian children have the most beautiful faces and hearts! Every time I see them, I want more than one. And this is coming from a woman who wasn't so crazy about the idea of adopting any kids from any country. I liked my comfortable, fairly predictable life. But boy has God worked His ways in
- [The Day My Prince Lost A Little of His Charm](https://reneeswope.com/day-my-prince-lost-his-charm/) - My 13-year old son, the one that was oh so thoughtful during my "time of the month" in September totally hurt my feelings today. And it's been exactly one month since then so you can guess that I was quite hormonal and emotionally over reactive about it. I knew it was bound to happen and
- [My Turn](https://reneeswope.com/today-i-get-to-bless-some-of-you-with/) - Today it's my turn to bless several of you with a prize, and give you a way "bless it forward" by sharing the gift you receive. But before I announce the winners, I just have to say that I've been incredibly blessed by your stories, ideas, commitments to help others and your sweet words of
- [How will you BLESS IT FORWARD?](https://reneeswope.com/how-will-you-bless-it-forward/) - Welcome to the BLESS IT FORWARD stories and give-aways. If you don't know the details, be sure to read Monday's post to find out more so you can participate. I'll be giving away 5 prizes to bless 5 people and give them the chance to pass those blessings on to others. I cried through most
- [Blessed to Be a Blessing](https://reneeswope.com/blessed-to-be-blessing/) - My friend Suzie always says, "I am blessed to be a blessing." She loves to shop and when she finds something she likes, she'll often buy one for someone else, too. Or if someone mentions they like something she has, she'll sometimes just give it to them. My friend Zoe is known for this kind
- [Bless It Forward](https://reneeswope.com/bless-it-forward/) - I pray you are (or will soon be) having a blessed day. If you linked here from my devotion The Power of Encouraging Words, I'm so glad you stopped by! I'm amazed at what God can do with encouraging words. They can literally change the course of someone's life. I know because they have mine.
- [Telling Our Stories](https://reneeswope.com/as-i-sit-down-to-tell-rest-of-my-amani/) - If you are new to my blog, welcome! I am in the middle of telling about an adventure God took me on this month when my family hosted some women from Africa. The story starts here. For those of you who visit often, thanks for your friendship and for praying for my time with the
- [Pressing In](https://reneeswope.com/pressing-in/) - There was a theme of "pressing" during my Amani week. I was pressing wrinkles out of clothes and probably pressing Christen's buttons as I displayed my lack of skill in the retail clothing area. But more than that I was pressing into God, listening for His direction in my heart of what I should be
- [An Unexpected Gift](https://reneeswope.com/unexpected-gift/) - The Amani women were scheduled to go to VA to see their US warehouse the day after the show, but that got canceled. We knew they wanted to go shopping so plans were made for us to meet at the church and caravan to local thrift stores, Chick-fil-A and Target for the day. Here they
- [Family dinner, Fashion and a Grandmas Love](https://reneeswope.com/family-dinner-fashion-and-grandma-s/) - Saturday night we had a family dinner with Stella and Mary, our guests. I'd cooked a roast in the crockpot all day since I'd heard they love beef stew. By the way, they were so easy to please. Fruit and bread in the morning, pizza and Chick-fil-A for lunch and a variety of things for
- [The Story Behind the Steamer](https://reneeswope.com/story-behind-steamer/) - Saturday night when I went to bed (after our family dinner and private fashion parade), my heart filled with such sadness knowing that they were leaving the next day. I asked God to stretch out the hours on Sunday until they headed to the airport at 2pm. As you can read above, He did! I
- [Sankofa - Looking Back, Walking Forward](https://reneeswope.com/power-of-our-stories/) - Friday night, Oct 10th, was the big event: Sankofa - Looking Back, Walking Forward - a Fashion Narrative. It was indescribable! One thousand women filled the sanctuary, enthralled by the women's beauty and captivated by their stories. Here are the two directors introducing the show, Mary from Kenya and Rachel from DC. Three women gave
- [Cliff hanging...](https://reneeswope.com/cliff-hanging/) - So sorry to leave you with a cliff hanger from my last post. I was going to continue the story on Thursday but life swallowed me whole that day and I didn't get to before I left on Friday to go out of town. I was speaking this weekend at a women's retreat in the
- [Just Where I Needed to Be](https://reneeswope.com/just-where-i-needed-to-be/) - God's plans for my time with the Amani women unfolded in ways that I couldn't have planned. It was abundantly more than I had asked for or imagined. I had originally only signed up to be a hostess. I thought it would be great to meet some women from Africa and invite them to stay
- [When You Give a Girl a Steamer](https://reneeswope.com/when-you-give-girl-steamer/) - After we finished praying, I sensed in my heart that God had another assignment for me. I headed back into the sanctuary foyer to see where my help might be needed. There I saw the a woman still steaming the models' outfits. God gently whispered to my heart to find another steamer. I hadn't heard
- [It's Hard to Believe](https://reneeswope.com/its-hard-to-believe/) - It's hard to believe that God could love me the way He does. It's hard to believe that no matter what I do, His love will never fail, never change, never end. It's hard to believe that He delights in me. That He just likes to look at me and watch me with love in
- [The Power of One](https://reneeswope.com/power-of-one/) - Last week we featured a devotion at P31 about the power of ONE. We also emailed a letter to our devotion readers inviting them to partner with us in prayer and to financially support what God is doing through Proverbs 31 Ministries. The response has encouraged our hearts in ways we cannot even describe. That
- [What goes around comes around...](https://reneeswope.com/what-goes-around-comes-around/) - God gave me a sweet blessing today. You see I woke up with KILLER CRAMPS. (No that wasn't the blessing but it opened the opportunity for me to get one.) These were the debilitating kind that make you bend over and scream or cause you to wonder if someone's inside of you with a knife.
- [Praying God's Word, Praying God's Will](https://reneeswope.com/praying-gods-word-praying-gods-will/) - I shared in a devotion featured today at Proverbs 31 and Crosswalk.com that I used to struggle with what to say in my prayers. Then I learned about the practice of praying God's Word, and experienced the power of praying God's will. It completely changed my outlook on prayer and my outlook on life. It
- [This is The Truth!](https://reneeswope.com/this-is-truth/) - Sometimes we believe lies. Sometimes we lose hope and feel confused. Sometimes we wonder if life could ever be different. Sometimes we question what is real. Sometimes we forget what is True. Please take a minute to watch this video completely. (Caution: Be careful if other videos pop up when it's done. Many are inappropriate.
- [I'm Home!](https://reneeswope.com/im-home/) - We landed in Charlotte at about 3:30pm this afternoon. If you are visiting my blog for the first time after attending the Camp Berea retreat - welcome!!! I am so glad you stopped by. I had so much fun with all of you this weekend. As much as I wanted to see my family, I
- [Treading Water](https://reneeswope.com/treading-water/) - Hi friends! How are you? I've been treading water these days. The good news is that I am treading Living Water. Not only treading but gulping too. It's been good and God has been so amazingly faithful to provide many things I have needed the past several days. I had 10 new radio shows due
- [Getting Into A New Groove](https://reneeswope.com/i-cant-keep-up/) - I can't believe it's been a week since I posted last. And even my last post was a little lame. I never did come up with my perfect world list. There are just too many people to choose from! And let's just say my real world gives me too many choices, too! And I can't
- [My Perfect World](https://reneeswope.com/my-perfect-world/) - My friend LeAnn posted today about a very creative and insightful school project her son was assigned this week. Click here to read about it. I'd love to know the answer...Who would be in your perfect world? I am still trying to decide about mine.
- [Satisfy Me in the Morning](https://reneeswope.com/satisfy-me-in-morning/) - I've been reading your stories about how you have also felt that longing for God's unconditional love. Isn't it such a process? The day I described in Friday's post was just the first time I realized what I had been looking for and where I would find it. But clinging to it, living in it
- [What Happened to the Teacher and the Gift?](https://reneeswope.com/what-happened-to-teacher-and-gift/) - I have received over 30 emails today asking if I ever found the teacher and gave her the gifts. I just love that ya'll care! I wrote the devotion over a week ago and I totally forgot that I didn't tell you where the gifts are. They are still sitting in my house...BUT I am
- [Looking for Love](https://reneeswope.com/looking-for-love/) - I walked along the winding road under a canopy of oak trees that lined the beautiful campus of Meredith College. It was my last semester of my senior year. I was experiencing a break in the clouds of depression that had overshadowed the past few years of my life. As I walked by each building
- [Our Dossier is On It's Way!](https://reneeswope.com/our-dossier-is-on-its-way/) - Just days before we left for vacation, we completed our dossier for the adoption of our little girl(s) in Ethiopia. Just in case you didn't know, we are in the process of adopting a daughter or two between the ages of 4- 10 from Africa. It's been almost a year since JJ and I felt
- [Roll back the cameras!](https://reneeswope.com/roll-back-cameras/) - We got back from the beach last Wednesday night. From that point on it's been a mad dash to the first day of school and the first day back to the office yesterday. I am sorry I'm not so good at blogging in the midst of a crazy busy schedule. For the next few days
- [We've been on Vacation](https://reneeswope.com/village-people-on-vacation/) - UPDATE (Tues 8/19) - We're still on vacation, 2nd time around. We're at the beach and we're having a great time. So relaxing! I had planned to blog about our trip, and show you what we did each day, but I forgot my camera cord for downloads so I'll recap when we get home later
- [Crazy...that's how my kids will remember me!](https://reneeswope.com/crazy-mom-thats-how-my-kids-will/) - I had been trying to connect with Andrew's teacher to give her a thank you gift and a wedding gift since the last day of school. I went by her classroom two times during work days the week after school, and just missed her. We'd played email tag a few times this summer and again
- [How Will They Remember Me?](https://reneeswope.com/how-will-they-remember-me/) - I have had a couple of hard days. My heart has been very heavy since yesterday afternoon when I got an email from LeAnn saying that our precious friend, Anne Belk, had crossed the threshold of Heaven to be with Jesus on Saturday. I went to Anne's funeral with a few P31 friends this afternoon.
- [Praying Friends on Friday](https://reneeswope.com/praying-friends-on-friday/) - Hey friends! I have been so encouraged by all of the answered prayers over the past week. I've gotten some emails and read many responses left in the comments on my Power of a Praying Friend post. It's been such a sweet thing to read the prayers and the praises. I thought it would be
- [What Would Be My Cardboard Testimony?](https://reneeswope.com/what-would-be-my-cardboard-testimony/) - This morning I woke up early and had some quiet time to read and pray before the boys get up, the house gets noisy and life starts around me. I was just sitting here on my sofa praying a simple prayer - Lord speak to my heart through Your Spirit in me leading me to
- [There's no way!](https://reneeswope.com/theres-no-way/) - Lysa invited me to start running with her a couple years ago. I tried it...once...when we were away on a writing/staff retreat. I nearly died! That girl can run for miles and miles and miles. Now you need to know - we were in the mountains where there is not enough oxygen to breath when
- [The Power of Praise](https://reneeswope.com/power-of-praise/) - Don't you just love how David and the other Psalmists prayed? They were honest about their feelings, with themselves and with God. They told God what they were struggling with, even when it wasn't pretty! They knew how to pour out their hearts to Him (Ps 62:8). But one thing I've noticed is that often
- [Praying God's Word](https://reneeswope.com/praying-gods-word/) - WOW! When I posted my Power of a Praying Friend blog in the wee hours of Friday morning, I had no idea that so many of you would join me. I hoped that 25-50 would commit to pray, but boy did God have bigger plans. As I write this post, there have been 335 comments
- [The Power of a Praying Friend](https://reneeswope.com/power-of-praying-friend/) - I hate open heights! I can’t stand balconies, glass elevators freak me out, and when I am driving across a bridge, you’ll find me hugging the dividing rail along the inside lane. Some friends tried to help me conquer these fears by inviting our family to join them one Sunday afternoon at Inner Peaks Climbing
- [I had to pick more than one!](https://reneeswope.com/i-had-to-pick-more-than-one/) - Thank you so much for the gift of your comments these past two days. They're priceless!! I've read each one, and I've thought about how much valuable time it takes to ponder these questions, look into your heart and then decide if you want the world - or at least a few in my world
- [On the Other Side of Doubt](https://reneeswope.com/what-do-you-hope-for-on-other-side-of/) - "Things will never change." "Nothing is going to get better." "I can't do this." Those are some depressing thoughts, aren't they? But oh how quickly they weasel their way into our thoughts and disguise their voice to sound like ours. And sometimes these thoughts actually become our own. These are the whispers of doubt that
- [Where would you like to spend $20?](https://reneeswope.com/where-would-you-like-to-spend-20/) - Do you know if they give “bad blogger” awards? They should give them to people who say they're going to do a great give-away on their blog, and then they don’t show up until that night to do it – when everyone has logged off their computers. :-) Ok, so here's the honest truth. A
- [The In Between Time...](https://reneeswope.com/in-between-time/) - Soon after I poured out my dream as an offering to God in 2003, I asked Him if I’d ever write a book. I sensed God say ( an impression in my heart ) that I wouldn’t write a book until after I turned 40, and there would be a child. I questioned if it
- [The Rest of the Story...really](https://reneeswope.com/throughout-next-year-god-brought/) - Throughout the months before and after my book proposal being reviewed and declined, God kept bringing these verses to my attention repeatedly through sermons, books and songs. One was Isaiah 43, especially the following verses: 1b,“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name – you are mine. When you pass
- [The rest of the story](https://reneeswope.com/rest-of-story/) - Update: Oh my, I'm trying to recuperate from a sugar coma. I ate too many sweet meatballs, cream puffs drizzled with chocolate, along with too much cream cheese toffee ball on chocolate graham cracker sticks and sherbert punch! Here is the bride (in blue) along with my girlfriends who helped with the shower. (Me, Bev,
- [Tracing My Steps](https://reneeswope.com/tracing-my-steps/) - I've been reading through old journals this morning, tracing my steps with God over the past several years. Thank God for journals, because I never would have remembered the details of where I've been in my spiritual journey and how God met me in each place, revealing my heart to me and His heart towards
- [Good NEWS I've been dying to tell you.](https://reneeswope.com/ive-been-dying-to-tell-you/) - But I couldn't because we haven't had internet, phone or cable in over 24 hours due to a very , very bad storm last night. I had an electrician and a bunch of boys at my house all morning playing and then went to Van's pool this afternoon, so I wasn't able to run to
- [My help comes from the Lord](https://reneeswope.com/monday-mornings-to-do-list/) - I woke up this morning with a looong TO DO list rambling through my head. I hadn't even opened my eyes before the TO DO munchkins started squeeling for my attention. My TO DO list had so many items on it that I had to separate them into categories with sub-categories. TO DO for our
- [Family, Friends, Food & Fun on the 4th](https://reneeswope.com/family-friends-food-fun-on-4th/) - Happy fourth of July! We usually go to Indiana for a big family reunion (with my mom's side) on the 4th of July, but we decided with our move and high gas prices we'd stay home this year. We're going to be celebrating the 4th with friends, who are like family, that we met through
- [I hate to add to the list...](https://reneeswope.com/i-hate-to-add-this-burden-to-your-list/) - (UPDATE added below) I wrote the email almost as an apology. I needed prayer but I was hesitant to ask for it. I didn't want my request to be a burden. After all, the friends who would be reading the email already had so many burdens on their prayer list: illness, job loss, death, cancer
- [She Overcame](https://reneeswope.com/they-overcame/) - I had planned to share my verse from She Speaks earlier this week, but I didn't want to start talking too soon. Reading your stories in the comments for my last post makes me feel like we're sitting on our beds in our jammies talking about our promises and what they mean to each of
- [She's Speechless](https://reneeswope.com/shes-speechless/) - I came home from "She Speaks" without words. It could be that I talked too much. I averaged 5000 words a day, at least! It could be my lack of sleep. I averaged 3-5 hours each night, at the most. But I think it's more. I am undone. I cannot even find the words to
- [She Speaks!](https://reneeswope.com/she-speaks/) - Hey there! I am at the She Speaks conference. And I wish all of you were here. I know a lot of you are and I am loving that I get to see you, and meet you and hug you. So much better than that non-touchy feeling the computer tends to have. I have snuck
- [My Hero!](https://reneeswope.com/my-hero/) - This is my hero! The morning after my last post about my overwhelming emotions and situations, Andrew woke up with 101 fever. In two weeks my sweet little man had fractured his hand, gotten poison ivy all over his face, been to urgent care twice, had watched someone drive by our house and crush his
- [Rescue ME!](https://reneeswope.com/rescue-me/) - I know, I disappeared again. I've been living in the land of the blahs and I didn't want to lure you guys there. It's hard to write when you have nothing encouraging to say! I've felt a heaviness over me ever since we moved into our new house. I didn't recognize what was going on
- [You Are...](https://reneeswope.com/you-are/) - CHOSEN “For you are a chosen (woman). You are a royal priest, a holy (daughter). God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 REDEEMED “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have
- [Life Comes at You Fast!](https://reneeswope.com/life-comes-at-you-fast/) - We had a wonderful, tiring and very productive first week in our home. So many boxes unpacked, lots of furniture set up along with beds, desks and bookshelves to store more stuff. We love our new home and very quiet neighborhood - only one other family lives in it so far. We love to sit
- [We're Moved IN!!!](https://reneeswope.com/were-moved-in/) - We're in our new home!! This morning I am resting in God's tender loving care and beautiful refuge of grace. Our move went really well - and it's was not based on our plans but totally God's provision. In fact, our plans started to fall apart on Thursday night with our helpers (some had things
- [Packing UP and Counting DOWN](https://reneeswope.com/packing-up-and-counting-down/) - We are packing up and counting down the days!! We have six days left in our home as we prepare to close on Thursday afternoon on this house and Friday morning on our new home. Yes, our new home. I can't believe it's already the week we move. This in between time is starting to
- [Circle of Friends Retreat Winner](https://reneeswope.com/circle-of-friends-retreat-winner/) - Last weekend I spoke in TN at the West Park Baptist Church women's retreat. To all of you who were there, thanks for grafting me into your Circle of Friends! I loved meeting you and sharing such a fun time together. Here are a few photos I took to help me remember the sweetness of
- [Thank you so much!!!](https://reneeswope.com/thank-you-so-much/) - Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement. I have needed them more than I can say. The past few days have been filled with lots of tears, sadness and an aching place in my heart and home that Chelsea had filled. I have never been through such a loss. No one close to
- [A very sad day...](https://reneeswope.com/very-sad-day/) - Today was a very, very sad day. Beyond description. One of my best friends for almost 14-years - my sweet and precious daschund - Chelsea, died this afternoon. She was sick when we got home Sat night after I'd been speaking in TN. She seemed okay yesterday but got much worse this afternoon. By the
- [A Lot of Something!](https://reneeswope.com/lot-of-something/) - Monday was my little bit of nothin' day and boy was it needed!!! All that little bit of nothin' really helped me get rested spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. It also helped prepare me for "a lot of something" that was coming this week. I am glad I listened to God's nudge to be still.
- [A Little Bit of Nothin'](https://reneeswope.com/finding-balance/) - It's past noon and I'm still in my pajamas. I am pretending it's Saturday morning, trying to rest up for a busy week of work and packing! Thanks for your prayers for the wonderful women's retreat on Amelia Island in FL this past weekend. It went great! I really needed and felt your prayers. I
- [Friends: When One of You Moves](https://reneeswope.com/friends-when-one-of-you-moves/) - Okay, I have a confession to make. I am one of the worst when it comes to staying in touch with friends when they move away or when I move away. There is just something about seeing each other that makes it so much easier for me to stay connected. I think about sending cards.
- [Friendship: Keeping It Simple](https://reneeswope.com/friendship-keeping-it-simple/) - I am sitting in my bed with my laptop and I am so stinkin' tired it's not even funny. JJ looks at me and smiles. Why don't you just go to sleep? he asks. I explain that I need to touch base with my bloggy friends and let them know how my lunch went on
- [Friends: Where two or more are gathered](https://reneeswope.com/friends-where-two-or-more-are-gathered/) - Tomorrow I am getting together with two friends and their two little ones for lunch. I can't wait to see them and just have time to talk and get to know each other. This is the first time we have ever gotten together for lunch. We met through church. Our families are in a small
- [Girlfriends' Road Trip Continued...](https://reneeswope.com/girlfriends-road-trip-continued/) - Hello friends. Thanks for sharing your hearts and thoughts so transparently. I have read each of your comments and am praying for each of you today. Wow, we all have so many similar stories. Isn't it so good to know we're not alone. How about we take a few days to talk through our thoughts
- [Girlfriend's Road Trip: Traveling Together](https://reneeswope.com/girlfriends-road-trip/) - "You were all called to travel the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly.(Eph. 4:3, MSG) This is one of my favorite verses when it comes to friendship and doing life together. From the beginning of time, God knew it was not good for us to be alone.
- [Day 8 - Made to Worship](https://reneeswope.com/all-her-life-sam-had-been-waiting/) - Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people,"Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"They came out of the town and made their way toward him... Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of
- [Day 7 - Reflections](https://reneeswope.com/day-7-reflections/) - So sorry for my delays on this post. It's going to be a little long to make up for lost time :->. Here are a few things God has shown me when I read this part of the story, John 4:15-26. I will highlight the verses in purple. "He told her, "Go, call your husband
- [Day 5 - Up Close and Personal Mini-Study](https://reneeswope.com/day-5-up-close-and-personal-mini-study/) - This story/reflection has been added to since the original post. Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to
- [Day 4 - Reflections: Believing God](https://reneeswope.com/our-home-is-for-sale/) - This has been an interesting point for me to ponder the past two days....believing God is able. Believing God's promises aren't too big to fulfill in my life. Believing God will accomplish what I sense Him calling me to believe. Trusting Him to do a spiritual work in my life when I am asking for
- [Day 3- Up Close and Personal Mini-Study](https://reneeswope.com/day-3-up-close-and-personal-mini-study/) - Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." "Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?
- [Day 2 - Reflections](https://reneeswope.com/reflections/) - If you are just joining today me for the mini-study on the woman at the well, please scroll down and read part one first, then return to today's post for reflections. The WINNER of today's drawing for my Searching for Satisfaction CD is Rebecca (a.k.a tiggerdaisy@gmail.com). Congratulations! Jesus could have chosen to be anywhere else
- [Day 1 - Up Close and Personal Mini-Study](https://reneeswope.com/day-1-and-2-up-close-and-personal-mini/) - (Jesus) he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat
- [Just to Be Close to You](https://reneeswope.com/just-to-be-close-to-you/) - If you found your way here through my devotion“Up Close and Personal”, featured today through Proverbs 31 Ministries and Crosswalk, I’m glad you stopped by. My blog is where I share the journey of my heart. I hope you’ll stay a while, and come back any time you just need a place to connect your
- [The Little Things](https://reneeswope.com/final-answers/) - My weekend in Florida was great. Thanks so much for your prayers. The retreat I did was around the theme of "Joy in the Journey." God's timing was perfect. My joy was being drained by too many things to do and decide last week. I knew I had to set some things aside until I
- [Able and Available pt. 2](https://reneeswope.com/able-and-available-pt-2/) - Last weekend I shared the story of how God used a friend's encouragement about a thank you note to get me to pray about and eventually write a bible study guide. If you'd like to read that story, click here. Some of you left questions so I thought it'd be fun to share those and
- [Able and Available](https://reneeswope.com/able-and-available/) - The winner of this weekend's drawing for my "Speak Lord, I'm Listening CD is Heather! (Thanks tiggerdaisy for your reminder :->). As a continuation of the She Speaks Q&A we did this weekend, I promised to share a story about the thank you note that launched my speaking ministry. Today was my radio recording day
- [She Speaks Q&A](https://reneeswope.com/she-speaks-q/) - Today I'm joining Lysa TerKeurst and some others from Proverbs 31 Ministries in a Q&A; about She Speaks, our annual conference for women who feel called as speakers, writers and women's ministry leaders. This year we also have some special sessions for bloggers! I'm answering some questions below that were posted on her blog yesterday.
- [Listening Out Loud](https://reneeswope.com/where-listening-leads-me/) - Okay, I listened to God with real intention, like I said I would, and just like you shared from your own experiences - it was hard. I kept getting distracted by my thoughts. So, I had to start listening out loud. Does that sound crazy? How do you listen out loud? First, I went to
- [Becoming a Woman Who Listens](https://reneeswope.com/becoming-woman-who-listens/) - Today I had coffee with a friend who loves to listen. Holly is so good at getting me to open up and talk about things I don't normally talk about. Every time I ask her a question she turns it around and asks me something that peels another layer from my heart. I used to
- [Roadblocks or Rest Stops?](https://reneeswope.com/roadblocks-or-rest-stops/) - UPDATE: Thanks for your prayers!! It's Monday morning and I'm home. We made it safely to the airport yesterday despite icey roads and snow showers. As we traveled south to Milwaukee the snow became rain and the roads became very clear. Our sweet chauffer, Christie, took us out to lunch in this cute little town
- [Hmmm...where were we?](https://reneeswope.com/hmmmwhere-were-we/) - Well, I finally got a shower today. Boy do I feel and smell better! Andrew was snuggling with me tonight, rubbing my fleece sweatshirt and then told me how soft I was. Ahhh. Felt like a big cotton ball. (Love it when he's sick b/c he reverts back to childhood and lets me get close
- [Interrupted...](https://reneeswope.com/sweet-friends-i-have-been-wanting-to/) - Sweet friends, I have been wanting to continue our heart-stirring, soul-searching talks. I feel like I shared my heart, asked a few questions, you poured out your heart, mind and soul and somewhere in there we got interrupted and I had to leave the room. Uggh, I would never walk out on a friend when
- [Shaped With Purpose Winners!](https://reneeswope.com/shaped-with-purpose-winners/) - Wow, okay so the west coast hangover has made me quite dingy. I had no idea how many pages would be filled with your heart-sharing comments. It started out with 108 but I shrunk the fonts, reduced the margins and hit print. The final was 76 pages of precious comments! My little ink jet at
- [West Coast Hang Over!](https://reneeswope.com/west-coast-hang-over/) - I'm home!!! I got to the airport early today, had lots of time to linger, even bought my own lunch from Starbucks to take with me on the plane, thank you very much! (If that makes no sense read this). And I had cash on me, too! Okay, I have not been drinking but I
- [God Hurt My Feelings](https://reneeswope.com/god-hurt-my-feelings/) - I am sitting all alone in the Phoenix airport. I got to the Charlotte airport 9 hours ago. I was scheduled to leave at 9:35 on a direct flight to San Francisco, landing at noon and spending the day with my dear friend Cris. She lives in Sacramento and is going to pick me up
- [I've Been Ditched!](https://reneeswope.com/ive-been-ditched/) - Yesterday when my ten-year-old Andrew got home from school I asked if he wanted to go out for dinner and do something fun together since Joshua and dad were having their “guys night out” (something JJ does each week with one of our boys). You are just not going to believe what he did. No
- [What's Wrong with ME?](https://reneeswope.com/whats-wrong-with-me/) - Okay, this long post is to make up for all the time I didn't get to spend blogging with you this weekend. Like Heather and Lisa B, I wish we could all be in a room talking and sipping on coffee or hot chocolate. Well, here's the next thought I'd share... What's Wrong with ME?
- [Who I am, Where I've been](https://reneeswope.com/who-i-am-where-ive-been/) - I've loved your stories about meeting your friends. Thank so much for sharing them. Some have made me smile, some have made me laugh (Hazel!) And some of you have been gut-honest about how hard friendship can be, and I love it (the honesty that is)! This week I wrote a story as part of
- [The Real Me](https://reneeswope.com/real-me/) - I sat in the circle dreading my turn to talk. The facilitator of our “team-building” activity had asked our group of eight to answer these questions: What do you love to do? If finances were unlimited and failure was unlikely, what would be your dream? I started praying we’d run out of time before they
- [To Find a Friend, Be a Friend](https://reneeswope.com/to-find-friend-be-friend/) - When we first moved to Charlotte, I had no friends. But I did have a little hope that one day I'd find at least one. You see, before we moved from Virginia, my mom mailed me an article she'd seen in the newspaper about some women in Charlotte, NC who were college graduates that decided
- [Friendship Give-Away Winner](https://reneeswope.com/friendship-give-away-winner/) - Thanks to all of you who came by this past week and hung out with me so we could talk about friendships. I love girl-talk about stuff women don't usually discuss - like comparison, compulsive email checking, wanting friends but wondering if anyone else would want to be your friend, the challenge of making/finding time
- [Comparison: The Friendship Killer](https://reneeswope.com/comparison-friendship-killer/) - When we first moved to Charlotte in July 1995, we didn't know anyone. JJ had just graduated from VA Tech 6 weeks earlier, we had a newborn (Joshua) and were both starting new jobs - me at home; him at work. Here I was in a new city, looking for a new church and hoping
- [Friends Need Grace, Grace, Grace!](https://reneeswope.com/friends-need-grace-grace-grace/) - Update: I posted some fun family photos and a neat thing God taught me that applies to friendships...when we fail or get hurt and don't want to try again. Click here to read it. It's been one of those days. I planned to continue our conversation this morning about friendships, but one thing a girlfriend
- [Friends, pt.2](https://reneeswope.com/friends-pt2/) - I am loving all of your different perspectives. I love that you’re sharing highs and lows, ideas and struggles, and more than anything, yourself. That's a real friend. It helps those of us who may be struggling more than others can rest assured that we’re not alone – we’re not the only one who feels
- [Friends](https://reneeswope.com/friends/) - Friends. It’s what God gave me for my birthday last week. He knew it’s what I needed most. The past year has been very busy at work and home. Something had to give and I didn’t want it to be my family, so I cut back on my social life. A lot of what I
- [My Heart's at Home](https://reneeswope.com/my-hearts-at-home/) - Lord, what’s wrong with me? What woman wouldn’t love to go to Charleston, SC for her birthday? I love spending time with my friends, shopping and eating Low Country cuisine. Why does my heart feel sad about leaving home for a few days? I talked to God and myself as I walked down the airport
- [To Be Known is To Be Loved](https://reneeswope.com/to-be-known-is-to-be-loved_14/) - I just got back to my hotel room after an amazing event at SeaCoast Church. Wow, God's presence was so powerful. What a birthday gift that my Heavenly Daddy would invite me to spend the day in Charleston with Him, my sweet friend Margaret and the wonderful women I got to meet tonight. Really, it
- [Here With Me](https://reneeswope.com/here-with-me/) - I'm sitting here listening to this song and soaking in God's promise to be with me. I love knowing that the very One who created me never leaves my side; He is with me while I sit in my favorite chair in my bedroom. I've been thinking about my morning with my guys. They took
- [What's For Dinner?](https://reneeswope.com/whats-for-dinner/) - Earlier this week when I was feeling down and doubtful, I decided to do something to make me feel better. I wanted to take the emotions that were making me feel like a failure as a speaker and pour them into my most important ministry - being a wife and a mom. So, I tackled
- [Nobody's Perfect](https://reneeswope.com/nobodys-perfect/) - Somebody really, really hurt my feelings this week. They said a few critical things about me as a speaker. I found out Sunday evening right before I went to bed, and I let it get to me. I woke up all through the night feeling like I'd had a bad dream. In the morning I
- [Learning to Plan with Open Hands](https://reneeswope.com/learning-to-plan-with-open-hands/) - I once read that "Life is what happens when you're making other plans." I couldn't have described it any better this week. Wednesday I worked from home. That's my normal routine so I can combine homemaking with P31 computer work and get more done in both areas. I had planned to do laundry, take down
- [The Week-After-Christmas Memories](https://reneeswope.com/christmas-memories/) - Okay, I know it's a new year, but I am not over Christmas yet. I got a late start so our tree is still glowing in the corner and memories still twinkle like little lights in my mind. While we were taking down Christmas decorations last night, Joshua asked if we could keep the tree
- [Fourteen Pages!!](https://reneeswope.com/im-on-roll/) - I got out of my creative funk and completed fourteen pages in my scrapbook! Whooo, hooo. It took all of Sunday afternoon to sort them, determine which photos I still needed, order missing photos online from Walmart, decide what type of book and layouts to use and then get my creative juices going. At one
- [Welcome to my home for the holidays!](https://reneeswope.com/christmas-open-house/) - I love having friends over and I love visiting friends' homes. It just makes me feel closer to them. BooMama hosted a "Christmas Home" blog tour this week. I thought it would be fun to participate since so many of my friends live out of town. But, I was not ready, so I'm hosting mine
- [The Gift of Listening](https://reneeswope.com/gift-of-listening/) - I was reading a book in bed the other night when I heard JJ calling our dog to come get her treat. He was actually luring Chelsea to her doggie bed.Daisy, our beagle, was already outside doing her business, anticipating the reward of a doggy biscuit if she obediently came back inside and went straight
- [Candy Canes and Christmas GiveAways](https://reneeswope.com/christmas-giveaway-winner/) - Don't you just love candy canes? They're my favorite Christmas treat. I have a basket of them hanging on the banister near our front door. I noticed this morning that lots of elves ate some this weekend so I need to refill my supply.These sweet holiday treats have become a tradition in our family to
- [It's not what we give, but how we live!](https://reneeswope.com/its-not-what-you-give-but-how-you-live/) - As I think about the perfect gifts to give my kids, my husband and my mom this Christmas, I've decided that more than anything, what they want is more of "me." More of my time, my attention to really listen and be together for no purpose but just that!God's been whispering to my heart about
- [Cool Christmas Giveaways!](https://reneeswope.com/cool-christmas-giveaways/) - At this time of year, isn't it's easy to get all "gived" out? I have found it's important to get a little each day so I don't get depleted! The first place to "get" is from the well of God's heart. It's is there that I find His perspective and He redefines mine. From the
- [The Manger of My Heart](https://reneeswope.com/christmas-prayer/) - Today a devotion I wrote was featured on Crosswalk and the Proverbs 31 site. In it I described a time a few years ago when I found myself sitting in my bedroom closet Christmas afternoon feeling sad. Although I had what I wanted for Christmas - a house full of gifts, family and food -
- [White Space](https://reneeswope.com/white-space/) - Christmas brings out the gift-giver and gift-getter in all of us, doesn't it?! Just like my friend Janet who ended up with a bucket of Barbies, I have a few things that I want, I need, I just have to have.Sometimes it's clothes, other times it's books and I hate to confess but all too
- [Authentic Friends Give-away Winner](https://reneeswope.com/authentic-friends-give-away-winner/) - Kris Krow is the winner of my "authentic friends club" giveaway. Krism you will receive a Starbucks gift card and two copies of my "Unwrapping His Christmas Presence" cd - one to keep and one to give away. Please email me your address so I can mail them to you!Thank you so much to all
- [The List](https://reneeswope.com/three-days-and-counting/) - My kids are so excited we only have three days until Christmas, especially Andrew. Last night he asked me to snuggle with him in his bed because he needed to talk to me about something. It was really late (past midnight because we had friends over for dinner and games) but I couldn't resist. What
- [Merry Christmas Eve!](https://reneeswope.com/merry-christmas-eve/) - We all slept in really late this morning. JJ has a cold so I found him in Joshua's bed when I woke up at 9am. He slept in there so I could get a full night's rest since he was up sneezing and coughing. Aww, so sweet! Please pray for him to feel better today.Joshua
- [Back to Life](https://reneeswope.com/back-to-life/) - We're back to to everyday life. I've missed blogging so I thought I'd share what our week looked like after Christmas...ThursdayJJ's parents left early Thursday morning. The boys were so sad, all three of them!! They had such a fun time playing and visiting with Grandma and Grandpa Swope. We played checkers, went shopping, ate
- [About to Drop Before I Crop!](https://reneeswope.com/scrapbooking-dilemma/) - I have too many photos, too many options and not enough brain cells. Here I sit in Nancy's killer scrapbook room with more choices than I can handle. Thank goodness she gives me her consultant discount. Now I just need to make a decision. Where should I start? What kind of book should I use?
- [Girl's Get-Away Cruise](https://reneeswope.com/girls-get-away-cruise/) - We're back from the the Girl's Get-Away cruise. It was so much fun! Through Proverbs 31 Ministries and Premiere Christian Cruises, a few of us were given the amazing gift of a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico.Here's a photo of us girls at dinner time. (Me, Shari, Sharon, LeAnn, Lysa and Marybeth). This was my favorite
- [Got Joy?](https://reneeswope.com/joyjoy-joy/) - I posted this last week and accidentally saved it as a draft!!! Please forgive me "Living Water's" retreat friends that I wasn't here when you came looking for me! I am now on a cruise ship in the middle of the sea somewhere between Conzumel, Mexico and Mobile, AL. I'll post more about our trip
- [Living Dangerously](https://reneeswope.com/living-dangerously/) - A few weeks ago I spoke at a conference in Spartanburg, SC with my dear friends Gwen Smith and Lysa TerKeurst. While we were setting up our resource areas I noticed the booth next to us was selling t-shirts and one caught my eye. It was chocolate brown with pink and white lettering and it
- [And the winner is......](https://reneeswope.com/and-winner-is/) - Oh, it is so hard to choose only one winner. I just couldn't do it so I had my husband pick a number between 1 and 42 since that is the number of entries I had. He chose number 40 and the winner is Heather at MommyMonk. Congratulations Heather! I'll send your gift as soon
- [It's Fall, Y'all!!!!](https://reneeswope.com/just-in-time-for-my-favorite-season-i/) - Just in time for a my favorite season, I am participating in the Fall, Ya'll blogger giveaway. And you can win!!!All you need to do is leave a comment to this post (with your email) and tell me what you love most about Fall. I will do a drawing next week and you just might
- [Knowing Him, Making Him Known](https://reneeswope.com/my-sweet-friend-and-encourager-lauren/) - My sweet friend and encourager, Lauren at FaithFuel, honored me with the *Mathetes Award. Mathetes is the Greek word for disciple, and the role of the disciple is to make more disciples. What I love about Lauren is that she loves Jesus passionately and that she doesn't give up on me even when I get
- [My Image of God](https://reneeswope.com/my-image-of-god/) - I love taking pictures! The funny thing is I don't always like seeing them after they’re developed. I always pitch the ones that aren't good. I'm especially quick to get rid of those where eyes are half-closed or a mouth is crooked. And you can just forget about the ones where the camera adds 10
- [The Pumpkin Prayer](https://reneeswope.com/i-love-fall-my-kids-love-it-because-it/) - I love the fall. It's my favorite season. My kids love it too, but that is because Halloween is right around the corner and "candy lane" will soon open on our street. I want to encourage my kids to see it as a time to share sweet treats and God's love with others. I have
- [Survivor!](https://reneeswope.com/survivor/) - My friend Leslie Nease is on Survivor and I have been meaning to tell you. She is an amazing woman, a Christian radio morning show host, a wife, a mom and a friend who lives her life out loud for God's glory! She has made it through two weeks and we are all so excited
- [Faithful in the Little Things](https://reneeswope.com/faithful-in-little-things/) - Are you ever hesitant to say "yes" to one thing, not knowing if another good opportunity may present itself next week? Do you wish you could hear God's direction for your future? Me, too! But a few years ago, God called me to live in the "hear and now."(I wrote another devotion about it -
- [How Can I Hear God's Voice?](https://reneeswope.com/can-you-hear-me/) - The ticking of the grandfather clock grew louder as the room emptied. I became more and more aware of each passing minute as people left to go home. Only moments earlier the room had been full of friends and old Ben was merely an unnoticed guest. But as the people departed and their voices with
- [Who Is Your Shepherd?](https://reneeswope.com/i-am-headed-out-of-town-with-my-family/) - I am headed out of town with my family to speak at a women's retreat for Hope Community Church. They are traveling from their hometown, Cary, NC. We're all taking a road trip to North Myrtle Beach, SC to have some fun and learn about traveling with God and our girlfriends!I've been reading Max Lucado's
- [Corrected Link](https://reneeswope.com/corrected-link/) - Here is the correct link to the post I sent out earlier tonight: Click here. I apologize some of you ended up on a page from my 2012 study. I am technically challenged at times. :) If you'd like to share a thought or leave a question in response, please click here. Thanks for grace!
- [](https://reneeswope.com/3009/) - Whether someone tells you today or not - You matter. What you do as a mom makes a difference. God sees you and your sacrificial love touches His heart. It touches mine too and today I honor you and send my love your way. Praying He will infuse you with strength, lavish you with dignity,
- [ (Week 1) - A Confident Heart Online Study](https://reneeswope.com/day-1-a-confident-heart-online-study/) - So excited to start this "Confident Heart" journey with you! The first thing I want you to remember: This is YOUR journey. You'll be reading the chapters, listening to God speak to your heart, highlighting sentences, promises and quotes you want to remember and apply. You'll be answering reflection questions and interacting with the group.
- [A Confident Heart](https://reneeswope.com/a-confident-heart/) - A Confident HeartLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nam convallis luctus egestas. Donec aliquam sagittis dolor vitae varius. Duis sit amet erat in velit sagittis fermentum.
- [Where Renee Is Speaking](https://reneeswope.com/where-ill-be/) - Upcoming Events 2011January 29, 2011Calvary Baptist ChurchWinter Interlude Women's ConferenceOshawa, Ontario Canadawww.calvary.on.ca February 19, 2011 Williamston Memorial Baptist ChurchWomen's Conference Williamston, NC A. Van Staalduinen, theprissyfish@yahoo.comFebruary 25, 2011 King's Way Baptist ChurchWomen's Event Concord, NC http://www.kwbc.netMarch 4-6, 2011Grace Community ChurchWomen's RetreatEllicott, MDMarch 26, 2011 Community Presbyterian ChurchWomen's Conference Danville, CA M. Nicholas, livingalegacy.christ@gmail.com www.cpcdanville.orgApril 8,
- [Where Renee Is Speaking](https://reneeswope.com/where-ill-be/) - Leah and I would love to meet you at one of my upcoming events! Here is where we will be:March 26, 2011 Community Presbyterian ChurchWomen's Conference Danville, CA www.cpcdanville.orgApril 8, 2011Crossview Christian ChurchMom's Night OutWaynesville, Ohiowww.crossviewchristian.orgApril 9, 2011Crossview Christian ChurchWomen's ConferenceWaynesville, Ohiowww.crossviewchristian.org April 16-24, 2011Spring BreakMay 2011Confident Heart Pre-launch preparationNo dates availableJune 3-5, 2011Women of
- [Happily Ever Aster](https://reneeswope.com/happily-ever-aster/) - "And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her." Esther 2:15bLord, thank you for my beautiful daughter whose heart radiates Your joy and love. May her beauty increase each day from the inside out as she comes to know the personal love and pursuit of Jesus. I pray she will always know that her
- [Trusting our very GREAT GOD in the midst of not so great news.](https://reneeswope.com/trusting-my-very-great-god-in-midst-of/) - Every time I get a mammogram... I wonder if this will be "the day" - the day they tell me I need a biopsy.That day came this past Tuesday. The radiologist told me I needed to schedule a needle tissue biopsy on my left side to see if a suspicious area has cancerous cells. I
- [What would I have missed?](https://reneeswope.com/what-would-i-have-missed/) - Thanks for your prayers. Our flight home was quite eventful. During our connecting flight from Dallas, our plane's interior lights started blinking uncontrollably. The pilot announced that we'd lost a generator! But explained that the back-up generator would be sufficient, and that they were making adjustments. When he came back on a second time he
- [More Amani Memories](https://reneeswope.com/amani-photo-journal/) - I am just now catching my breath after an amazing, jam-packed four days with the Amani women. When they left on Sunday afternoon my heart was so full. I had indescribable joy, peace and fulfillment. It was as though the very breath of God filled my Spirit in a new way. It was some of
- [A Day with Our Amani Friends](https://reneeswope.com/day-with-our-amani-friends/) - A business owner in Charlotte, who loves the Lord, very generously donated his luxury tour bus and a driver for our day with the Amani women. Oh my goodness!!!! What a sweet way for God to lavish abundant blessings on these special women for the next several hours. It had leather seats, granite counters and
- [They're HERE!!!!!](https://reneeswope.com/theyre-here/) - Meet my new friends, Stella and Mary. Mary is from Kenya and Stella is originally from Sudan but now lives in Kenya. All 13 of the women from Amani arrived last night from Dallas with pink cowboy's hats and lots of luggage. They were teaching us how to "line dance" and greeted us with smiles
- [Blessed!](https://reneeswope.com/blessed/) - I am back from Camp Berea in Hebron, NH! Another amazing weekend that I will not soon forget. I have to admit I was a little nervous going into these two past weekends because these women have had the amazing privilege of having Priscilla Evans Shirer speak at their retreat last year and another one
- [How Will They Remember Me?](https://reneeswope.com/how-will-they-remember-me/) - I have had a couple of hard days. My heart has been very heavy since yesterday afternoon when I got an email from LeAnn saying that our precious friend, Anne Belk, had crossed the threshold of Heaven to be with Jesus on Saturday.I went to Anne's funeral with a few P31 friends this afternoon. It
- [Dealing With Doubt](https://reneeswope.com/dealing-with-doubt/) - Hi there bloggy friends and She Speaks attendees! Lysa is hosting a Mr Linky for She Speaks attendees so we can all get to know each other before we get to the conference in just 3 short weeks! I can't wait to spend a whole weekend together laughing, learning and experiencing God in an amazing
- [Girlfriend's Road Trip: Traveling Together](https://reneeswope.com/girlfriends-road-trip/) - "You were all called to travel the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. (Eph. 4:3, MSG)This is one of my favorite verses when it comes to friendship and doing life together. From the beginning of time, God knew it was not good for us to be alone.
- [Day 6 - Up Close and Personal Mini-Study](https://reneeswope.com/day-6-up-close-and-personal-mini-study/) - John 4:15-26He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back." "I have no husband," she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is
- [Got Questions?](https://reneeswope.com/got-questions/) - I love all the comments and questions that were left under Monday's post. I plan to share more about where and when God took my speaking beyond my church walls. But before we go on, I want to answer some of your questions. So if you have any more about being able and available, ways
- [Uniquely You](https://reneeswope.com/uniquely-you/) - My devotion "The Real Me" is featured today at Proverbs 31 website and Crosswalk. If you found my blog through my devotion, I am so glad you stopped by. The journey God's taken me on to become the woman He created me to be has totally changed my life - and all of my relationships
- [Love the Ones You’re With](https://reneeswope.com/love-ones-youre-with/) - I'm still trying to give the gift of me for Christmas. But it’s hard sometimes. Here’s a confession I wrote in one of my devotions for the P31 book that I could've re-written this week: “The other night oue family was all snuggled on the couch watching a movie. We were spending quality time together
- [A Bucket of Barbies!](https://reneeswope.com/bucket-of-barbies/) - Have you ever just had to have something,and when you got it you wondered what made you think you HAD to have it??Here's a story I want to dedicate to all the women I met at my Christmas events this week in New Hampshire and Colorado: Frantically searching for the doll her daughter had to

## Pages

- [Hi there.](https://reneeswope.com/sidebar-content/renees-story/) - I'm so glad you're here! I hope my words will encourage your heart and help you overcome any self-doubt or insecurities that hold you back. My passion is to help you live in the fullness of your God-given purpose, gifts, and potential, roles and relationships. I believe a relationship with Jesus and the transforming power
- [A Confident Heart](https://reneeswope.com/aconfidentheart/) - Do you ever feel like you’re not good enough, smart enough, or valuable enough?Do the words you say to yourself, or hear from others, make you question your worth and purpose? I understand. Even with a great family, a successful career, and a thriving ministry, I still struggled with paralyzing self-doubt. And I was convinced
- [Mining for Gold](https://reneeswope.com/mining-for-gold/)
- [Scripture Prayers for Parents](https://reneeswope.com/scripture-prayers-for-parents/) - When my children are going through something difficult I try to find verses that relate to what they are dealing with and weave them into a prayer for them. In my book, A Confident Mom, I have a chapter on prayer. In it I share the prayers below tohelp us pray over three of the
- [A Confident Mom {podcast}](https://reneeswope.com/a-confident-mom-podcast/) - Launching April 2022 Feel like you’re not doing enough as a mom, but have no idea how you could do anything more? Sharing vulnerable stories of her own struggles and doubts as a mom, Renee Swope offers the encouragement of a friend and the wisdom of a mentor who will help you + Find a
- [A Confident Mom](https://reneeswope.com/a-confident-mom/) - Do you ever feel like you're not doing enough as a mom but have no idea how you could do anything more? Sharing vulnerable stories of her own struggles and doubts as a mom, Renee Swope offers the encouragement and wisdom of a friend and mentor who comes alongside to help you find confidence, purpose,
- [Speaking Schedule](https://reneeswope.com/speaking/speaking-schedule/) - Looking for a speaker for your next event? Let's connect and talk through the details! Start the conversation here with an event request form. Looking for a conference to attend near you? I'd love to meet you at one of my upcoming events. Here are the events on my calendar: [events_show] I'm currently scheduled
- [Speaking](https://reneeswope.com/speaking/) - Renee Swope is a wife, mom, national speaker, award-winning author of A Confident Heart and former co-host of Proverbs 31 Ministries' international daily radio program where she encouraged women across the world for over 10 years. Renee also served on the leadership team that grew Proverbs 31 Ministries from a newsletter to one of the leading women's ministries
- [For My Event Leaders](https://reneeswope.com/for-event-leaders/) - Thank you for entrusting me to speak into the lives of your attendees. Knowing how much goes into planning and hosting an event, I created this page to make it easy for you and your team to access what you need, when you need it, all in one place. Let's start here: Planning your event
- [Favorite Things](https://reneeswope.com/favorite-things/)
- [Blog](https://reneeswope.com/blog-2/)
- [{free} 7-day Doubt Diet Devotions](https://reneeswope.com/freeresources/7-day-doubt-diet/) - Do you ever feel weighed down by self-doubt and discouragement? You don't have to keep carrying that heavy burden alone. You can start losing the weight of self-doubt and gain the freedom of a confident heart through my FREE 7-day Doubt Diet Devotions! I wrote every devotion myself, and made sure each day includes with a
- [A Confident Heart Devotional](https://reneeswope.com/a-confident-heart-devotional/) - Expanding on her very popular" When I say--God says" statements in her national best-selling book, Renee offers a 60-day thought-map that will empower and equip you to replace your most crippling self-doubts with God's transforming truths so you can: live confidently in your God-given roles, relationships, and responsibilities Break free from people-pleasing and performance-based living
- [Free Resources](https://reneeswope.com/freeresources/) - FREE 7-day Doubt Diet Devotions Does doubt or discouragement ever weight you down? If you're tired of carrying the heavy load of uncertainty and insecurity, I've got a gift for you! I've created a short FREE 7-day email devotional series based on my book, A Confident Heart, Filled with daily Biblical insights, powerful promises, and scripture-based prayers,
- [Sidebar / Content](https://reneeswope.com/sidebar-content/)
- [A Confident Heart DVD](https://reneeswope.com/a-confident-heart-dvd/) - Often the biggest obstacle to living out our faith is our own doubt--about our worth, our abilities, our relationship with God, and circumstances in our lives. A Retailer's Choice Winner, Renee Swope's best-selling book, A Confident Heart, gave voice to the questions, doubts, struggles, and hopes so many women have, and led over 100,000 readers
- [Privacy Policy](https://reneeswope.com/privacy-policy/) - What Personal Data We Collect and Why We Collect It Comments When visitors leave comments on my site, we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection. An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may
- [Radiant Event GiveAway & FREE Printable](https://reneeswope.com/speaking/radiant-event-giveaway-free-printable/) - Hi there friends! I absolutely loved being with you a few weeks ago in Texas!! And I apologize my little "Text to Enter" giveaway didn't work. I've double checked to made sure it works here on my website. Enter to WIN by entering your email and first name below. I promise not to share your information
- [Confident Heart Devotional Online Study | January 2017](https://reneeswope.com/confident-heart-devotional-online-study-january-2017/)
- [Speaking Topics](https://reneeswope.com/speaking/speaking-topics/) - A Confident Heart Ever feel like you’re not good enough, smart enough, or gifted enough? Do critical words you say to yourself, or hear from others, make you question your worth as a woman? Renee understands. Even with a great family, successful career and thriving ministry, Renee still sometimes struggled with self-doubt. Based on the
- [Confirmation: The 7-Day Doubt Diet Devotions](https://reneeswope.com/confirmation-the-7-day-doubt-diet-devotions/) - I'm so glad you've signed up to receive my 7-days of Confident Heart devotions! If self-doubt has ever weighed you down, you're in the right place! Through these 7-days of devotions, my prayer is that you will feel equipped and empowered to lose the weight of self-doubt and gain the freedom of a confident heart. What other "Doubt-dieters"
- [Content / Sidebar](https://reneeswope.com/content-sidebar/)
- [Disclosure Page](https://reneeswope.com/disclosure-page/) - In 2014, JJ and I prayed and brainstormed creative ways to generate additional income so I can hire staff to help with the workload of my blog, writing and speaking ministry. The first place that made the most sense was to add affiliate links and some ads to my blog that compliment what I'm already doing here. But we want
- [Thank {YOU}!](https://reneeswope.com/thank-you/)
- [Contact](https://reneeswope.com/contact/)

## Soliloquy Sliders

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